^1- 



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

John Barton Payne, Secretary 



United States Geological Survey 

George Otis Smith, Director 

WATER-SUPPLY Paper 490— A 



ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES IN 
THE SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA 

BY 

JOHN S. BROWN 



Prepared in cooperation witli the 

DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING OF THE 

STATE OP CALIFORNIA 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OPFIOB 
1920 



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

John Barton Payne, Secretary 



United States Geological Survey 

" George Otis Smith, Director 



Water-Supply Paper 490 — A 



ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES IN 
THE SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA 



BY 



JOHN S. BROWN 



Prepared in cooperation with the 

DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING OF THE 

STATE OF CALIFORNIA 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
1920 






Tl7 »f ^» 
OCT 21 1929 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Preface, by O. E. Meinzer 1 

Introduction 5 

Location of the region 5 

Scope of tlie report 5 

- Methods of field work 5 

Explanation of maps 6 

Acknowledgments 7 

Description of the region 7 

Physical features _ 7 

Settlements 7 

Roads 8 

Means of travel 8 

Suggestions to travelers 8 

General advice 8 

Teams, hay, and grain 9 

Special suggestions to motorists 10 

Provisions ^ 11 

Clothing and bedding 12 

Fuel 12 

Water 12 

Methods of carrying water 12 

Kinds of watering places 13 

Indications of water 13 

Getting lost 13 

Main roads' across the region 14 

Boad logs 15 

Los Angeles-Banning . 15 

Banning-Coachella-Mecca 15 

Banning to Mecca 15 

Mecca to Banning . 16 

CoacheUa-Brawley 18 

Coachella to Brawley 18 

Mecca to Brawley , 20 

Brawley to Coachella ' 20 

To Mecca from Brawley road 22 

Brawley-Niland 22 

Brawley to Niland 22 

Niland to Brawley 22 

Mland-^Glamis-Tuma 28 

Niland to Tuma 23 

Tuma to Mland 25 

Brawley-El Centro 26 

Brawley to El Centro 26 

EI Centro to Brawley 26 

ni 



IV CONTENTS. 

Road logs — Continued. ^ase. 

San Diego-Jacumba 27 

Jacumba-El Centre 27 

Jacumba to El Centre 27 

El Centre to Jacumba 28 

El Centro-Tuma 28 

El Centre to Yuma 28 

Yuma to El Centro 30 

Warner-Berego Valley-Brawley 31 

Warner to Brawley 31 

Warner to Bravrley by way of cut-ofE or county road— 34 

Brawley to Warner 35 

Brawley to Warner by way of cut-off or county road 38 

Warner-San Felipe Valley-Julian 38 

Julian-Vallecito-Carrizc^-El Centro 38 

Julian to El Centro 38 

El Centro to Julian 41 

Carrizo-Imperial 43 

Carrizo to Imperial 43 

Imperial to Carrizo 44 

Dixieland to Yuba and Coyote Wells 45 

Mecca-Blythe-Ehrenberg (main route) 45 

Mecca to Blythe 45 

Blythe to Elirenberg , 47 

Ehrenberg to Blythe 47 

Blythe to Mecca 47 

McCoy Spring from Mecca-Blythe highway 49 

Wiley Well from Mecca-Blythe highway 49 

Corn Spring from Mecca-Blythe highway 49 

Mill Camp roads 49 

Boulder .Well from Mecca-Blythe highway 50 

Mecca-Dos Palmas-Chuckwalla Well-Blythe 50 

Mecca to Blythe 50 

Blythe to Mecca 52 

Mecca to Niland, on east side of Salton Sea 55 

General outline 55 

Road along Southern Pacific Railroad 55 

Road along power line 55 

Road through Dos Palmas and Frink Spring 55 

Niland to Gulliday Well 56 

General outline 56 

Niland to Chocolate Mountains 56 

Iris Pass d. 56 

Mecca-Blythe road crossing 57 

Gulliday Well 57 

Surveyors Pass road 57 

Niland-Salvation Pass-Blythe 57 

Blythe-Glamis route to Yuma and Imperial Valley 58 

Blythe to Glamis 58 

Glamis to Blythe 59 

Blythe- Yuma route by way of Tumco 61 

General statement 61 

Blythe to Yuma 61 

Yuma to Blythe 62 



CONTENTS. V 

Road logs — Continued. Page. 

Yuma to Picacho 63 

Yuma to Laguna dam 63 

Blythe-Blythe Junction 63 

Blythe to Blythe Junction 63 

Blythe Junction to Blythe 65 

Blythe to Blythe Intake 65 

Blythe Intake to Parker 66 

McCoy Spring, Adams Well, Chandler Well, and McCoy Tanks, from 

Blythe and Blythe Junction 66 

Mineral Switch to McCoy Spring 66 

Mineral Switch to McCoy Tanks . 67 

Mineral Switch to Adams Well 67 

Old route from McCoy Tanks to Patterson and Graham wells 67 

Mecca to Cottonwood Spring, Iron Chief mine, Dale, Eldorado mine. 

Twenty-nine Palms, Pinyon Well, and Indio 68 

Mecca to Dale by way of Cottonwood Spring 68 

Iron Chief mine 69 

Road west from Cottonwood Spring 69 

Cottonwood Spring to Eldorado mine and Pinyon Well 69 

Pinyon Well to Indio 70 

Eldorado mine to Twenty-nine Palms by way of White Tank 71 

Banning-Dale 71 

Banning to Quail Spring, Keys Ranch, Pinyon Well, and Eldorado 

mine 7A 

Whitewater to Palm Springs station 76 

Palm Springs to Palm Canyon i._ 76 

Watering places 77 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Plate I. Map of the arid region of the United States showing areas 
covered by guides to watering places and other maps and 

water-supply papers of the United States Geological Survey 2 

II. A, First desert watering place signpost erected by the United 
States Geological Survey; B, Typical bad road traversed in 
desert watering place survey 2 

III. Typical desert watering place signpost erected by the United 

States Geological Survey 3 

IV. A, View in Mohave Desert, Calif. ; B, Near view of the hidden 

spring in the Mohave Desert; C, United States Geological 

Survey signpost directing to spring 12 

V. Index map of Salton Sea region, Calif 14 

VI. Relief map showing desert watering places in the western half 

of the Salton Sea region, Calif In pocket. 

VII. Relief map showing desert watering places in the eastern half 

of the Salton Sea region, Callf__ In pocket. 

Figure 1. Sketch map of vicinity of Blythe Junction, Calif 64 

2. Sketch map showing roads in vicinity of Dale, Twenty-nine 

Pahns, and Pinyon Well, Calif 72 



ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES IN 
CALIFORl^IA AND ARIZOl^A. 



PREFACE. 

By O. E. Meinzee. 

The desert region of the United States forms a great triangle 
whose base, 800 miles long, is the Mexican border from the Peninsular 
Mountains, in southern California, to the mouth of Pecos River, in 
Texas, and whose apex is in north-central Oregon. The west side of 
this huge desert triangle is the mountain wall formed by the 
Peninsular Mountains, the Sierra Nevada, and the Cascade Range; 
the east or northeast side is a less definite line extending from north- 
central Oregon through Salt Lake City and Santa Fe to the mouth 
of Pecos River. (See PI. I.) It covers about 500,000 square miles, 
or very nearly one-sixth of the area of the United States. 

This region is by no means devoid of natural resources or human 
activity. It contains prosperous cities, fertile agricultural districts, 
forest-clad mountains, a large aggregate number of watering places, 
many rich mines, and an unknown wealth of mineral deposits. But 
the localities that have water supplies are widely separated oases in 
a vast expanse of silent, changeless, unproductive desert, whose most 
impressive feature is its great distances and whose chief evidences 
of human occupation are the long, long roads that lead from one 
watering place to another. 

In the future existing oases will be enlarged, many new ones will 
be created, and the mineral and agricultural product of the region 
will be greatly increased. But in spite of all that man can do this 
large region will remain essentially a desert. 

Travelers in this region must depend for their existence on the 
desert water holes (springs, wells, or natural tanks), many of which 
are separated from one another by a hard day's journey with team 
and wagon. For most of the region the water holes have never been 
accurately mapped or described, no systematic provision has been 
made for maintaining them, and the roads leading to them have 
not been marked with substantial and reliable signs. Hence travel 
in the remote parts of the region has been a precarious and some- 
times a dangerous undertaking. 

1 



Z ROUTES TO DESEKT WATERING PLACES. 

The need of a sj' stematic program for making the desert safe and 
accessible by mapping, marking, and improving its watering places 
has long been appreciated by public-spirited men who know its con- 
ditions. It has also been recognized that because of the great extent 
of the region and because most of it still belongs to the public do- 
main the Federal Government can best do this work. For nearly 20 
years Mr. George W. Parsons, of Los Angeles, has ardently advo- 
cated such a program. 

Data on desert watering places were compiled some years ago by 
Gilbert E. Bailey, who was obliged to traverse repeatedly many of 
the main desert roads and trails, and these data were made available 
by him for use in a guide to watering places throughout a large 
desert area in California and Nevada published by the United States 
Geological Survey in 1909.^ 

Considerable other work has been done by the United States Geo- 
logical Survey in making maps of parts of the region and in pub- 
lishing data on its water resources. (See PL I.) Signposts have 
been erected by States, counties, automobile associations, and other 
agencies, the Automobile Club of Southern California having been 
especially active in the southwestern part of the region. However, 
definite and precise information in regard to watering places, except 
those along the main roads, has not been available for most of the 
region, and most travelers in the desert have been obliged to grope 
their way through it by means of hearsay information. 

A systematic program for the survey, marking, and protection of 
desert watering places was authorized by an act of Congress ap- 
proved August 21, 1916, which reads as follows : 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of ReprC'Sentatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior 
be, and he is hereby, authorized and empowered, in his discretion, in so far as 
the authorization made herein will permit, to discover, develop, protect, and 
render more accessible for the benefit of the general public springs, streams, and 
water holes on arid public lands of the United States ; and in connection there- 
with to erect and maintain suitable and durable monuments and signboards at 
proper places and intervals along and near the accustomed lines of travel and 
over the general area of said desert lands, containing information and direc- 
tions as to the location and nature of said springs, streams, and water holes, to 
the end that the same may be more readily traced and found by persons in 
search or need thereof; also to provide convenient and ready means, apparatus, 
and appliances by which water may be brought to the earth's surface at said 
water holes for the use of such persons ; also to prepare and distribute suitable 
maps, reports, and general information relating to said springs, streams, and 
water holes and their specific location with reference to lines of travel. 

An appropriation of $10,000 became available for this purpose 
July 1, 1917. With this appropriation, supplemented with some 

' Mendenhall, W. C, Some desert watering places in southeastern CaUfornia and south- 
western Nevada : U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 224, 1909. 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



WATER-auPPLY PAPER 490 PLATE 1 




EXPLANATION 



I^ 



Boundary of arid region requiring 
guides to watering places 



Area covered by guides to desert 

watering places. 
Published as Water-Supply Paper 

490 and in four separate reports, 

namely, 490-A, 490-B, 490-C, 

and 490-D 



\24-0 

Area covered by water-supply 
paper 

(.The number ia the serial number of the 
paper. Only principal waUr-eupply 
papers are shouin. A compfeto /«( of 
publicationM relating to water resources 
and information as to arras covered by 
topographic map* can he obtained by 
iffriting tothe U. S. Geological Survey, 
Washington, D. C. 



MAP OF THE AEID EEGION OF THE UNITED STATES 

Scale 7.000,000 



Compiled by O, E. Meinzer 



Principal road 



Other important road 




V. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 490 PLATE ID 




TYPICAL DESEHT W Al ERING PLACE SIGNPOST ERECTED BY THE UNITED STATES 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



Photograph by D. G. Thompson. 



PREFACE. 3 

other funds that could be used for the purpose, a survey was made in 
1917 and 1918 of the driest, hottest, and least explored part of the 
desert region, comprising 60,000 square miles in southeastern Cali- 
fornia and southwestern Arizona. (See PL I.) It includes the 
southern part of Death Valley and the region between this valley 
and the Mexican border in California, and the region west of Tucson 
and Phoenix and south of Wickenburg and Parker in Arizona. The 
field work was done by four parties, each consisting of one geologist 
and one nontechnical assistant and each provided with an automobile 
and light camping equipment. The mapping was done with the 
plane table, on a scale of 1:125,000. Most of the watering places 
in the region were examined; about 160 samples of water were col- 
lected and shipped to the water-resources laboratory of the United 
States Geological Survey for analysis ; and a general exploration was 
made of the region to determine its geography and geology and its 
ground- water conditions. 

Signs directing travelers to water were erected at 167 localities in 
California and 138 in Arizona. (See Pis. II, A, and III.) The sign- 
posts are of galvanized iron, 1.9 inches in outside diameter and 
12 feet long. Each post is anchored to the gTound with two red- 
wood blocks. The signs are IS-gage steel, galvanized, are white, with 
dark-blue letters, and are substantially bolted to the posts. They are 
of two sizes, 18 by 20 inches and 9 by 20 inches. Most of the larger 
signs, 470 of which were erected, give the names, distances, and di- 
rections to four watering places; most of the smaller signs, 165 of 
which were erected, give the names, distances, and directions to two 
watering places. Through the courtesy of the Board of Supervisors 
of San Bernardino County, Calif., signs were placed on 26 iron posts 
previously erected by the county. 

The area covered is the part of the desert region whei^e such work 
was most needed, not only because, on the whole, it has remained the 
least explored, bu^t also because it is the hottest and most arid area 
and the one having the worst roads. (See PI. II, ^.) The work was, 
however, undertaken as a part of a larger plan, which contemplates — 
to the extent that funds are available — a similar survey and erection 
of signposts for the entire arid region, as outlined on Plate I. To 
make the work permanently eifective it will be necessary from time to 
time to revise the maps and guides and to repair and supplement the 
signposts. The Federal Government is also under obligation to 
maintain the desert watering places that have been withdrawn from 
entry and are held as public water reserves. 

Soon after the field work was completed three of the four geolo- 
gists who made the survey entered the Army and the other one was 
assigned to work on water supplies for military establishments. 



4 EOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

Consequently the preparation of the maps and guides to desert 
watering places had to be postponed until after the war. Reports 
ai^e now being prepared which will give detailed information about 
the watering places in the region and will contain more compre- 
hensive and accurate descriptions of its geography, geology, and 
hydrology than have hitherto been published. The four abbreviated 
guides comprising the present series (Water-Supply Paper 490) are 
published in advance of the complete repoits for the use of those 
who do not need the more general information which the complete 
reports contain. 'These abbreviated guides consist essentially of the 
maps, the road logs (which constitute concise guides to watering 
places), and very brief descriptions of the watering places. 



ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES IN THE SALTON 
SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 



By John S. Brown". 



INTRODUCTION. 

LOCATION OF THE REGION. 

The region covered by this guide occupies the southeast corner 
of California and constitutes roughly a square 100 miles in length 
and breadth, or about 10^000 square miles in area. On the south its 
border is the boundary between the United States and Mexico, and 
on the east Colorado Eiver, which separates California and Arizona. 
The northern and western boundaries have been arbitrarily set at 
the 34th parallel and the meridian of 116° 40'. The limits thus set 
include Imperial County and the most arid parts of Riverside and 
San Diego counties. (See PI. V, p. 14.) 

SCOPE OF THE BEPORT. 

In addition to maps showing the roads and watering places, the 
information in the guide consists of road logs and brief descriptions 
of watering places. For the convenience of travelers from any 
direction the logs of all the principal roads are given in two direc- 
tions. Information and sketch maps are included for certain roads 
extending somewhat beyond the northern boundary of the region 
as defined above, in order to connect the routes of this region with 
important watering places beyond its limits. On the other hand, a 
considerable part of the western edge of the region is high, well- 
watered mountainous territory, and routes in it are given only for 
certain irregular westward extensions of the desert. 

METHODS OF FIELD WORK. 

Field work for this report was carried on during the winter of 
1917-18. The party consisted of the writer and a nontechnical 
assistant and was equipped with a Ford automobile and a light 
camping outfit. Only such stops were made at towns or settlements 

5 



6 KODTES TO DESERT •WATERING PLACES. 

as were necessary for procuring supplies or information, most of 
the time being spent in the uninhabited and least explored areas. A 
plane-table map was made along all routes that were traveled, dis- 
tances being measured by an accurately registering odometer, and 
triangulation carried along on mountain peaks or other prominent 
landmarks. Careful search and inquiry were made for watering 
IDlaces, and every one that was accessible was visited and mapped as 
far as time permitted. Approximate locations and descriptions of 
some others were obtained from various sources. Because the terri- 
tory is so large, it was impossible to locate every watering place, 
but it is believed that very few of those which are ordinarily utilized 
by the public have escaped observation. In such thinly settled re- 
gions as this there are always places, known only to prospectors and 
chance wayfarers, \ther6 water is obtainable at certain seasons but 
which are too little known or too remotely situated to be of general 
importance. 

EXPLANATION" OF MAPS. 

As a result of this work it has been possible to construct maps of 
the region covered which give the locations of the physical features, 
roads, watering places, and settlements with a degree of accuracy 
much greater than any previously published. Free use has been 
made of material from other sources, particularly in those areas not 
reached during the investigation. The topographic maps published 
by the United 'States Geological Survey cover parts of the region on 
the western border, around Salton Basin, and in the southeast corner. 
An accurate survey of Colorado River has also been made by the 
Geological Survey. The boundary line between the United States 
and Mexico has been carefully surveyed by a joint boundary com- 
mission. Maps published by the United States Land Office have 
furnished some valuable information, and private maps and surveys 
by irrigation companies have been useful in some localities. The 
surface features are shown by relief shading, executed by J. H. 
Eenshawe, of the United States Geological Survey, based on all 
available data. This method furnishes a pictorial representation 
of mountain ranges combined with a scheme of shading to indicate 
relative elevations. Thus the lightest-colored areas are the highest, , 
the darkest ones the lowest. With a little care, if a few elevations 
are known, it is possible to judge pretty accurately the ^leight of any 
locality. 

Names corresponding to the title under which roads are described 
in the text appear on the map along the roads and afford a ready 
means of referring to the road logs. Obviously these names have 
no geographic significance and merely indicate the units into which 
road logs are divided. 



SALTOK SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 7 

Township lines have been shown on the maps wherever land sur- 
veys exist, but the original surveys, made about 1856, have been 
found very faulty and are replaced by resurveys at some places and 
not at others. Accordingly section locations, particularly in the 
eastern part of the territory, will often be found rather unreliable. 
An effort has been made to keep the maps as free from unnecessary 
detail as possible, particularly in settled areas, where no attempt is 
made to indicate more than the principal roads and towns. 

ACKNOWLEDaMENTS. 

The author is indebted to many persons for assistance in the field 
and office. Particular credit is due to Mr. B. W. Broderson and Mr. 
W. C. Vaubel, both of Los Angeles, for their very efficient help as 
assistants in the field. The Automobile Club of Southern California 
cooperated freely with information and assistance. Business men, 
well drillers, miners, prospectors, and farmers of the region gave in- 
valuable information and aid for which it is impossible to thank 
them all individually but which is none the less appreciated. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGION. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

Within this region there are wide variations of physical features 
within short distances. From lofty mountain regions, with forests 
of large trees, heavy winter snows, and an annual precipitation of 
30 inches or more on the west, there is a swift transition eastward to 
low desert ranges and valleys, nearly devoid of vegetation, where 
summer temperature prevails the year around and where there may 
be entire years practically without rain. As a whole this is the 
hottest and driest part of the United States. 

The desert consists mainly of broad, nearly level areas with sandy 
or gravelly soil, separated by barren mountain ranges whose sides 
are commonly chocolate-colored and are deeply furrowed by dry 
canyons. The low flats usually constitute units to which the name 
valley is applied, such as Coachella Valley and Imperial Valley. 
They are generally covered with at least a scant growth of bushes 
or shrubs which are adapted to life under the prevailing conditions 
of heat and drought. 

SETTLEMENTS. 

Some of these valleys where a supply of water can be obtained 
have been developed by irrigation to a remarkable degree of produc- 
tivity, and large settlements exist at these isolated places. Coachella 
Valley, Palo Verde Valley, Yuma Valley, and Imperial Valley are 
the principal centers of agricultural development. 



8 ROUTES TO DESEET "WATERING PLACES. 

BOADS. 

The transcontinental line of the Southern Pacific Bailroad, com- 
pleted in 1879, crosses the region from southeast to northwest, and 
several branch lines from various places have been built in recent 
years to serve the irrigated areas. Consequently the centers of agri- 
cultural development are provided with good transportation facil- 
ities and constitute important supply points. Within the settled 
areas good roads are common. Long stretches of pavement are 
found on some of the chief highways. But practically all the roads 
through the undeveloped region are entirely unimproved. They are 
not laid out along definite lines, but follow in a general way the 
easiest natural routes available, crossing valleys and threading 
mountain passes, and avoiding as much sand and as many hills as 
possible. The result is that a desert road usually consists of two 
wheeltracks, and if these become bad a new one is made somewhere 
in the vicinity. 

Mining is practically the only business which attracts travel away 
from the main roads. Development at any place is subject to many 
uncertainties, and camps appear and disappear rapidly. Eoads are 
made and fall into disuse. Where wagon or automobile roads are 
impracticable, pack animals are used and burro trails result. 

MEANS OF TItAVEL. 

All the ordinary means of travel are used in this region. While 
teams and wagons are still used, they have been replaced to a great 
extent in recent years by automobiles. Trucks are coming into use 
on a commercial scale for freighting from mines in places away from 
the railways. The burro is still the faithful friend of the prospector 
and the horse of the " cow man," but automobiles are also much used 
by prospectors, for with them it is usually possible to get somewhere 
near even the most inaccessible territory. Foot travel is uncommon, 
although transient laborers often tramp from one valley to another, 
particularly during the period of seasonal occupations such as cotton 
picking. 

SUGGESTIONS TO TRAVELERS. 

GENERAL ADVICE. 

To one taking the proper precautions the desert is much less to be 
dreaded than the average stranger imagines. Only in midsummer 
heat is it really a dangerous place. Nevertheless, a few short trips 
without mishap should not lead one to a careless contempt for its 
very real perils. No matter in what sort of vehicle or for what length 
of time it is planned to enter the desert, adequate provision for pos- 



SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFOBNIA. 9 

sible misfortunes should be made. Probably more fatalities and 
hardships result at present from the failure of automobilists to know 
the road or to take a little food or an extra supply of water than 
from any other cause. Of course, with a good automobile and good 
luck one can travel across this region in a day; but an accident in 
the midst of a lonely waste may leave a party stranded without help 
for days, or until it is possible to walk to civilization. 

It is necessary, first, to learn definitely about the road. Procure 
the best maps available. The one in this guidebook is believed to be 
the best general map of the region yet published, but for numerous 
byways and burro trails it is not accurate in detail. Moreover, 
desert roads are frequently changed with the exigencies of travel, 
and what is a plain road one day may be obliterated by a sandstorm 
and. abandoned the next. Still the main routes are controlled by 
surface features and remain much the same. Numerous private 
maps of local districts are valuable, and the automobile clubs and 
touring bureaus supply good maps of the chief automobile roads, 
which, however, are not drawn accurately to scale. 

Inquiries should be made of local garage men and hotel keepers 
about the roads and watering places. Garage men usually have the 
latest information as to the condition of automobile roads. Inquiry 
about watering places and their condition at the time should be made, 
as a broken pump may render a good well entirely useless for a water 
supply. 

Some food should be taken even for an automobile trip of only a 
few hours. A surplus of water over probable needs of men and auto- 
mobiles should be provided. Oil and gasoline more than enough for 
probable needs should be taken, and it should be remembered that 
desert roads may require twice as much per mile as pavement. Sup- 
plies for horses should be ample for all possible contingencies. 

TEAMS, HAY, AND GRAIN". 

The following excellent suggestions to desert travelers are taken 
from a paper by Mendenhall ^ and are especially pertinent for per- 
sons traveling with teams : 

Where teams are used animals accustomed to the desert should be procured 
if possible, for horses or mules that are unused to desert condition fret on the 
sandy roads, and rapidly weaken from drinking the saline waters. They are 
also in danger of pneumonia from the cold of the winter nights and the wide 
extremes of temperature. During. winter journeys blankets should be provided 
to protect the animals at night. 

Travel in the desert far from the railroads and from food supplies is, of 
course, more expensive than in other regions. A party leaving a supply station 

1 Mendenball, W. C, Some desert watering places in southeastern California and soutb- 
western Nevada : U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 224, p. 21, 1909. 



10 EOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

to go 100 miles or more into au uninliabited part of the desert must take along 
everything needed, even to the most minute detail. This means that if the trip 
is to last for two weeks enough hay and grain for each animal and enough 
provisions to last each man that length of time must he taken. For four horses, 
drawing a wagon that carries four persons and bedding, provisions, and tools, 
another team of four horses must also be taken to haul suffloient hay and grain 
to feed the eight horses for two weeks. There are but few places in the desert, 
away from the railroads, w^here grain or hay of any kind can be procured. 
As the teams are rarely able to travel faster than a walk, heavy horses that are 
good walkers should be selected. The tires should be as wide as can be pro- 
cured. Desirable widths of tires for freight w^agons are 6 to 9 inches ; for light 
wagons 3 inches. * * * For packing trips experienced prospectors select 
burros on account of their endurance of heat and thirst, their foraging abilities, 
and the slight amount of care they require. They are slow and too light to carry 
heavy packs, so that on expeditions where speed is essential, or heavy freight 
is to be moved and feed is available, horses or mules are to be preferred. 

SPECIAL SUGGESTIONS TO MOTORISTS. 

More people travel the desert now in automobiles than in any other 
way, although horses are not unknown and even foot travelers are 
sometimes seen. Low-geared trucks with large tires have an ad- 
vantage in freighting or traveling very sandy roads. With an 
experienced desert driver the average car can travel ahnost any 
road that is passable for wagons. Without careful driving it may 
fail to get anywhere on a comparatively good road. Automobile 
parties should always carry a supply of spare tires and tubes. A 
vulcanizing outfit for making patches is especially desirable. A tire 
gage is very useful, and an air pump and a jack are necessary. 

Sand is the worst obstacle in this part of the desert. Fortunately 
it is less prevalent than popular fancy imagines. The average road 
consists of a pair of wheel ruts ; and in sandy places it is essential to 
stay in these ruts. Leave them only to pass another vehicle and then 
keep two wheels of the car in a rut if the sand is bad. Parties at- 
tempting to pass on a sandy road can usuallj^ do so by helping push 
the autos if other means fail. Wlieel ruts, if fresh, are easily trav- 
ersed even in deep sand, but old ruts or wagon tracks make very 
difficult traveling for automobiles. On such roads if a car gets stuck 
it is often possible to back up and by getting a fresh start in one's 
own tracks break the road ahead through bad sand. A shovel is 
sometimes useful in short stretches for cleaning out covered ruts. 

It is common practice in case of trouble in sand to deflate the 
tires. This gives the tire a greater bearing surface by allowing it 
to flatten out and increases the effectiveness of a car's gearing by 
reducing the diameter of the wheel. There is danger of rim cutting 
by having the tires too soft ; so that no more air should be allowed 
to escape than is absolutely necessai-y. No fixed rule is known, but 
for Ford cars a pressure of 35 or even 30 pounds was found safe and 



SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 11 

always gave good results. Tires are not damaged by running " soft " 
in sand, but they should be immediately pumped up when hard 
ground 'is reached, or they will suffer rim cuts, stone bruises, or 
blow-outs. The tire gage is a necessity for judging the safe reduc- 
tion of air pressure. 

One great trouble in soft sand is that the wheels lose traction and 
spin, digging down and down into the sand. This is frequently 
brought about by attempting to start too suddenly. On the other 
hand going too slowly when moving induces the wheels to spin. 
After a wheel has " dug in " it has to be " dug out " with a shovel, 
jacked up, and the hole 'surfaced with brush, canvas, or stones to 
give a bearing. Very effective use can be made of two strips of 
heavy canvas,/say 30 feet long and 18 inches wide, for such difficul- 
ties. The strips must be thrust under the rear wheel, then laid 
lengthwise ahead in the ruts, and it is necessary to lift the front 
wheels and set them on the canvas to hold it down while the rear 
wheels pull. Otherwise the canvas is chewed up and " spit " out in 
the rear by the spinning wheels. Canvas solved the trouble of the 
worst sand for the Survey party without much recourse to brush or 
shoveling. Progress is slow, but nearly any bad place may be crossed 
in this manner. The use of canvas for occasional trips on well- 
traveled roads is seldom necessary. Most travelers, instead of using 
canvas, fill the ruts with broken twigs, brush, stones, or anything else 
available when they get stuck, but unfortunately the brush is usually 
thinnest where the sand is thickest. There are various devices on 
the market for pulling out automobiles which get stuck, and one of 
these may be a valuable part of the equipment. On some roads in 
this region there are steep hills and sandy grades which automobiles 
can not ascend but which they can descend with ease. Such roads 
can be used only in one direction. To reach certain places it is neces- 
sary to choose circuitous routes in order to obtain feasible grades, and 
it may be necessary to follow a different route on the return trip 
from that taken in approaching. 

PROVISIONS. 

In the larger agricultural settlements in this region there are 
towns which have hotels and restaurants and at which food, cloth- 
ing, and mechanical equipment can be purchased. Persons planning 
to take trips of a day's duration or longer should take plenty of food. 
This will necessarily be in condensed form, chiefly canned goods • 
and staples such as flour, sugar, coffee, and bacon. For short trips 
it was found very easy to carry fresh bread in paper seals, especially 
by using a tight can for a container. Crackers can be used for 
157138°— 20 1 



12 ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

longer journeys or bread can be made in camp. Butter in tight 
containers will keep for some time in winter. Cans with tightly 
fitting lids are desirable containers for such things as flour, coffee, 
etc. As mvich of vegetables, fruit, and canned milk should be taken 
as space will permit, because these things add variety to the rather 
scanty list of staples. Above all do not forget essential things which 
will be unobtainable in camp. 

CLOTHING AND BEDDING. 

Persons camping in this region should remember that the nights 
are cool. Warm blankets and plenty of bedding are essential to 
comfort and to health. Bedding is usually made into a roll for the 
day, and a large sheet of canvas is convenient to protect it by day 
or night. There are no particular fashions or inherent necessities 
in clothing for the desert and one may choose here practically as he 
would anywhere else of the standard kinds of goods, remembering, 
as with bedding, that something extra may be needed for warmth 
at night. 

. FUEL. 

Fuel can be found at most places in this region, though it may be 
necessary sometimes to camp at a completely barren spot. Dead 
wood decays very slowly in this climate and is abundant at most 
places where small brush grows freely. Roots or branches burn 
readily with great heat. Most of the desert plants bear thorns to 
some extent and heavy gloves are useful protection in gathering 
firewood. An ax or hatchet may be used but is rarely necessary. 
Fuel is often stripped away in the vicinity of water holes, so that 
it may be necessary to go several hundred feet away from these 
common camping grounds to get a good supply. 

Some kind of camp light is necessary, ordinary kerosene lanterns 
being most used. Carbide or electric lamps are sometimes satis- 
factory substitutes. 

"WATER. 
METHODS OF CARRYING WATER. 

The most serious problem in desert travel is to obtain enough 
good water for drinking and camp uses and for teams or automobiles. 
It is necessary to have canteens, kegs, or water bags of sufficient 
capacity for all needs. Even tourists who do not plan to stop at all 
should carry a few canteens of water. Good canteens can be pur- 
chased at stores in all the towns. Water bags are excellent for 
keeping drinking water cool but waste water by evaporation. For 
cooking, 5-gallon kegs or cans are satisfactory containers. A day's 
supply is usually sufficient to carry, as there- are very few places 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 490 PLATE IV 




A. VIEW IN MOHAVE DESERT, CALIF. 
The only water within 10 miles is a spring hidden under brush in this view. 




B. NEAR VIEW OF THE HIDDEN SPRING IN 
THE AREA SHOWN IN A. 

All photographs by D. G, Thompson. 









;fl=*ii- 


f , ■■.■■"■ 




^;i; 



C. UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL 
SURVEY SIGNPOST DIRECTING 
TO THE SPRING SHOWN IN B. 

The top sign reads "Indian Spring 2/10 
M. Fiftyfeetnorthof roadinwash." 



SALTOSr SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 13 

where one can not travel from one watering place to the next in 
a day's journey, even on foot. 

KINDS OF WATERING PLACES. 

The usual watering places are springs or wells. Springs are fre- 
quently clogged with gravel or rubbish or sometimes even with the 
bodies of dead animals, and it may be necessary to clean them out. 
For this work a shovel is needed. Wells may or may not be equipped 
with pumps. Frequently the pumps are broken and useless, and a 
rope and bucket are then necessary to obtain water. Most of the 
wells in this region are less than 100 feet deep, but some are deeper, 
and 100 feet of rope is not too much to provide. As a rule the rope 
and bucket at a well, if they were ever provided, soon disappear, and 
one should never trust the chance of finding them there. Open wells 
are sometimes contaminated in the same way as springs and need to 
be cleaned out, particularly in little-frequented places where they are 
unused for months at a time. 

INDICATIONS OF WATE|{. 

Water usually occurs in the lowest parts of the broad valleys or 
in canyons and gulches in the mountains. Plants are sometimes a 
useful indication of its presence. For instance, in this part of 
California a clump of palm trees is a reliable sign of water, though 
sometimes the water may be bad or it may be necessary to dig a foot 
or two for it at the base of the palm trees. Certain mesquite trees, 
particularly the creeping variety, are often indicators of water, 
especially where an isolated clump appears along a stream course. 
Tules (rushes) are also a reliable indication of water. There are, 
however, many desert plants which depend entirely on the scanty 
rainfall and do not indicate permanent water. 

Numerous agencies, private and official, have erfected signposts at 
different places in this region which call attention to watering places. 
A particular effort was made to place Geological Survey signs near 
water holes which were so situated as to be easily overlooked. (See 
PI. IV.) 

GETTING LOST. 

The main roads are usually very plain and are adequately sign- 
posted by public and private agencies, so that there is little danger of 
getting lost while traveling on them. However, new roads are often 
made and old ones are abandoned, causing uncertainty at some 
places. Also a branch road to an active mine may be plainer than 
the main road. Some of the little-used roads are so indistinct that 
it is often extremely difficult to follow them. To be able to get back 
upon the right road if one has gone astray one should form the habit 



14 BOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

of careful observation, noting the prominent landmarks, such as 
mountains and peaks, and the branch roads, signposts, and minor 
details of the road. One should remember, however, that the aspect 
of mountains is very different from different points of view. More- 
over, all objects in desert regions, as a rule, appear much nearer to 
unaccustomed observers than they actually are. It is well to scale 
the distance on the map if possible before attempting to walk to any 
particular place. One should be able to tell directions by the stars, 
and it is well to carry a compass. Persons using the compass should 
remember that it is affected by iron or steel objects and electric cur- 
rents at close distances. 

If it is necessary to walk a long distance one should take a canteen 
of water and a pocket full of food. If the weather is warm it is better 
to walk by night than by day. Follow a road if possible, as the 
greatest danger of perishing is in wandering about where there is no 
road. If it is necessary to travel where there is no road take a 
straight course toward some star or distant landmark. Distances can 
be estimated by pacing, allowing about 2,000 paces to the mile. 

If one meets with an accident or gets lost far out in the desert it 
is important not to get excited, nor to rush wildly about wasting 
energy and ruining self-control. Any bad situation should be 
thought over carefully, and a sensible solution arrived at by study- 
ing the available maps, estimating probable distances to the most 
certain' points of relief, and then making plans to walk, wait, or sig- 
nal. It should be remembered that there are usually several travelers 
passing every day on the main automobile roads, and on these roads 
help may be obtained most easily by waiting. On less frequented 
roads waiting is inadvisable. 

MAIN ROADS ACROSS THE REGION. 

Several roads or combinations of roads are available for tourists 
passing across this region. A traveler starting at Los Angeles gen- 
erally goes eastward through Banning and the San Gorgonio Pass, 
then southeastward through Coachella Valley. At the south end of 
this valley he may turn east at Mecca and cross the uninhabited 
desert to Blythe, or he may continue southeastward into Imperial 
Valley. From Blythe a road leads eastward across Colorado Eiver 
at Ehrenberg Ferry and on by several slightly divergent routes into 
Phoenix. Another goes south to Yuma, from which Phoenix is 
reached by a well-established road. From Imperial Valley two roads 
are available to Yuma. One, by way of Niland, follows closely the 
Southern Pacific Eailroad; the other, by way of Holtville, crosses 
the Sand Hills and is the more direct route. From San Diego there 
is practically but one road as far as Imperial Valley, from which 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 490 PLATE V 




INDKX MAP OF SALTON SEA REGION. CALIFORNIA. 



SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 15 

the same choice of roads as before, by Niland or Holtville, is avail- 
able to Yuma. There is also an important road to Phoenix that goes 
from Los Angeles through San Bernardino and by way of Cajon 
Pass across San Bernardino County. This crosses Colorado River at 
Parker, Although it is the longest road to Phoenix, it has natural 
advantages which afford compensation for the greater distance. This 
road lies north of the region here considered. 

The shortest route from Los Angeles to Phoenix, by way of Blythe 
and Ehrenberg, is about 425 miles long. The distance by way of 
Lnperial Valley is 492 miles. The road through Cajon Pass is about 
630 miles long. 

ROAD LOGS. 

LOS ANGELES-BANNING. 

All roads from Los Angeles to Banning lead nearly due east across the thickly 
settled portion of southern California. Paved streets connect almost all the 
towns, and the network of good roads is probably unequaled anywhere else in 
the United States. The distance from Los Angeles to Banning ranges between 
about 83 and 94 miles, according to the route that is selected. 

BANNING-COACHELLA-MECCA. 
BANNING TO MECCA (61 MILES). 

0.0 Banning,^ two blocks north of railway station. Start east over paved 

road. 
1. Southern Pacific Railroad. Go east along tracks. 
5. 8 Cabezon railway station and store. Water and gasoline. 
12. 9 Geological Survey and Auto Club signs. Branch road goes northeast to 

Morongo Valley, etc. (See p. 71.) 
13. 9 Whitewater station on south side of road. Good water at faucet west 

of building. 
14. 5 Cross railway and go south, away from track. 

15. 2 Bridge over wide wash draining east. Usually dry, but water from 
Whitewater River generally discharges into this wash about 300 feet 
east. Road hugs mountain side after crossing bridge. 
15. 6 Rock cut at Whitewater Point. Road turns southeast. 

21. 1 Turn due south. 

22. 3 Palm Springs post oSice. Water supplies and minor repairs ; hotels. 
22. 6 End of pavement. Continue south on dirt road, which is usually in good 
condition. 

24. 2 Auto Club signs. Branch road goes south to Palm Canyon. ( See p. 76. ) 

Turn east. 
25. 9 Road turns southeast along base of mountains. 

34. Wooden sign on east side of road says " Water." Good water at Frey 

Well, one-fourth mile east of road. Little used because not near the 
road. 

35. 1 Road turns due east. 

35. 6 Road paved from this point nearly to Indio. 

36. 5 Ranch house on north side of road. Water. 

1 Throughout these logs heavy type is used onjy to denote watering places. 



16 ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

37. 5 Ranch house on north side of road. Water. 

39. Road bears southeast over region of many sand dunes covered with dense 
mesquite growth. 

40. 6 Indian Wells, store and post office. Water at trough and faucet by 

roadside. Gasoline. 

41. 2 Cut in solid rock at point of Indio Mountain. Road continues southeast 

through sand dunes and mesquite. 

42. 5 Turn due east. 

44. Turn north, 

44. 5 Turn east. Branch road goes west. 

44. 9 End of pavement. Continue east. 

46. 4 Auto Club signs. Good branch road on left goes north half a mile to 
Indlo, Water, supplies, repairs, and hotels at town. To reach Mecca 
from Indio one must return to this point and continue east. 

47.0 Railway. Turn southeast along track. 

48. 3 Railway crossing. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Go due east away 

from track. Branch road, little traveled, continues along track. 
48.9 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn south (right). _ 
49. 5 Concrete pumphouse and weir of Government pumping plant for Cabezon 

Indian Reservation on east side of road. 

49. 6 Auto Club sign. Cross railway and turn southeast beside it. Branch 

road goes straight south. Branch also comes in from along railway, 
northwest. 

49.8 Branch road from west crosses tracks and goes east to ranches. Main 

road follows railway. 

50. 2 Coachella, central business block, opposite railway station. Water, 

gasoline, repairs, supplies, hotels. Continue southeast out of town. 

50. 5 Turn due south away from railway. 

51. Auto Club sign. Go 100 feet east and then continue south. 

52.9 Auto Club sign. Branch road goes west. Main road turns east (left). 

54. 8 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Branch road crosses railway and goes 

east. Main road follows railway toward southeast. 

54. 9 Thermal railway station. Water, gasoline, supplies, hotel. 

55. 7 Go south, away from railway, avoiding bad road along track. ) 

55.9 Crossroads. Main road turns east to railway. 

56. Railway. Turn to right and follow railway. Branch road goes east 
across track. 

57. 3 Auto Club sign. Branch roads go west and east. Follow railway. 
57. 6 Abandoned town of Arabia. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Branch 

road turns south to Brawley, (See p, 18.) Continue along railway 
for shortest route to Mecca. 

58. 5 Branch road goes west. Follow railway, 

59. 7 Branch road goes west. Follow railway, 

60.8 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Cross Southern Pacific Railroad. Go 

east into Mecca. Road south goes to Brawley. Road west also con- 
nects with Coachella-Brawley route. 

60. 9 Mecca post office. Water, supplies, gasoline, minor repairs, hotel. Turn 

south to depot. 
61. Water fountain just north of Mecca railway station. 

MECCA TO BANNING (61 MILES). 

0, Mecca water fountain, near railway station. Go north 200 feet to post 
office and turn west. 



SALTON SEA EEGION, CALIFOKNIA. 17 

0.2 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Cross Southern Pacific tracks and turn 
to right following road along railway. Road south goes to Brawley. 
Road west connects with Coachella-Brawley route 2 miles west and 
may be used going either way, but route along railway is shorter to 
Coachella. 

1. 3 Goodrich sign. Branch road going wesf connects with Coachella-Braw- 

ley route. Continue along railway. 

2. 5 Branch road going west connects with Coachella-Brawley route. Fol- 

low railway. 

3.4 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Branch road entering from south is 

Coachella-Brawley road. ( See p. 18. ) Abandoned town of Arabia 
just north of road fork. Continue along railway. 

3. 7 Branch road goes east across railway, and 200 feet north another road 

goes west from railway. Goodrich sign here points west to Coachella 
and Banning, but one may as well continue along railway, which is 
shorter. 

5.0 Branch road goes east across railway. Main road turns west 0.1 mile 

away from railway, avoiding bad road. 

5.1 Crossroads. Turn north (right). 

5. 3 Reach railway and again go along track. 

6. 1 Thermal railway station. Water, gasoline, supplies, hotel. 

6.2 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Branch road goes east across railway. 

Main road turns west away from railway. Continue west. 
8. 1 Auto Club sign. Branch road continues west. Main road turns north 

(right). 
9.0 Auto Club sign. Go 100 feet west and then continue north. 
10. 5 Railway. Follow road along railway, northwest into Coachella. 
10. 8 Coachella, central business block, opposite railway station. Water, 

gasoline, repairs, supplies, hotels. Continue northwest out of town. 
11. 2 Branch road crosses track to east and another leads west. Main road 
follows railway. 

11.4 Auto Club signs. Branch road enters from south. Branch road con- 

tinues along ^railway. Main road crosses to east side and goes due 
north away from track. ' 

11. 5 Government pumping plant for Cabezon Indian Reservation — a con- 

crete pumphouse and well with weir, on right (east) side of road. 
12.1 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn west (left). 

12.7 Railway crossing. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn to right along 

west side of track. 

14.0 Leave railway and go straight west. 

14. 6 Auto Club signs. Good branch road goes north half a mile to Indio. 

Water, supplies, repairs, hotels. To reach Banning from Indio one 
must return to this point and continue west. 

16. 1 Pavement begins. Continue west. 

16. 5 Paved road turns south. Branch road continues west. 

17. Turn west, following paved road, which crosses a region of large sand 

dunes with heavy growth»of mesquite at places. 
18. 5 Road turns northwest with numerous curves in next few miles. 

19.8 Pass through cut in solid rock of point of Indio Mountain. General 

direction of road is west from cut. Region still sandy, with heavy 

mesquite growth. 
20.4 Indian Wells, store and post office. Good water at trough and faucet by 

roadside. Gasoline. 
22. Road leads due west. Dense mesquite wood on either side. 



18 ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

23. 5 Eanch house on north side of road. Water. More open country. 

24. 5 Ranch house on north side of road. Water. 

25. 4 End of pavement. Good dirt road, partly graveled, from this point. 
25. 9 Road bears northwest near base of mountains. 

27. Wooden sign on east side of road says " Water." Good water at Frey 

well, one-fourth mile east. Little used on account of being away from 
road. 

35.1 Road tarns due west. Big opening in mountain south leads up Palm 

Canyon. 

36.8 Auto Club signs. Branch road goes south to Palm Canyon. (See p. 76.) 

Turn north toward Palm Springs and Banning. 
38. 4 Pavement begins at edge of Palm Springs. 

38. 7 Palm Springs post office. Water, supplies, gasoline, minor repairs, 

hotels. 

39. 9 Road bears northwest. 

45. 4 Rock cut at Whitewater Point. Road turns west, hugging mountain side. 

45. 8 Bridge over wide wash draining east. Usually dry, but Whitewater 

River generally discharges water about 300 feet east into this channel. 
46. 5 Cross Southern Pacific Railroad and turn west beside track. 
47.1 Whitewater railway station, on south side of road. Good water at 

faucet west of station building. 

48. 1 Geological Survey aad Auto Club signs. Branch road goes northeast to 

Morongo Valley. (See p. 71.) Continue along railway. 

55. 2 Cabezon railway station and store. Water, gasoline. 
60. Leave railway and go due w^est into Banning. 

61. Banning, two blocks north of railway station. Water, gasoline, supplies, 
repairs, hotels. 

COACHELLA-BRAWLEY. 
COACHELLA TO BRAWLEY (73 MIXES). 

Note. — If this trip is made by way of Mecca, use Banning-Mecca log (p. 15) 
as far as Mecca and see appendix to this log (p. 20) for road out of Mecca. 

0.0 Coachella, central business block, opposite railway station. Unless in- 
tending to pass through Mecca, take supplies for long trip. None ob- 
tainable directly on route for 64 miles, imless at small town of Thermal 
about 5 miles away. Go southeast out of town. Road signed. 

0. 3 Leave railway and turn due south. 

1. 8 Auto Club sign. Go 100 feet east and continue south. Numerous ranches 
along this portion of road. 

2. 7 Auto Club sign. Branch road goes west. Main road turns east (left). 

4.6 Southern Pacific tracks. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Branch road 

crosses to east side of railway. Turn south along track. 

4.7 Thermal railway station. Water, gasoline, supplies, hotel. Continue 

along railway. 
5. 5 Turn south to avoid bad road along railway. 

5.7 Crossroads. Turn east to railway. 

5.8 Turn southeast along railway again. , 

7. 1 Branch roads go east and west. Continue along railway. 

7. 4 Abandoned town of Arabia. Road forks here. Auto Club and Goodrich 
signs at fork. Turn to right, due south, to Brawley unless going 
through Mecca, in which case continue along tracks. The route by way 
of Mecca is about 2 miles longer. If desired to use that route see log 
for road out of Mecca ( p. 20 ) . 

8.2 Branch road goes east. Continue south. 



S ALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 19 

9. 2 Crossroads. Continue south. 
10.2 Crossroads. Auto Club sign. Road on left leads 1 miles east into 

Mecca. Continue south. 
11. 4 Branch road northeast goes to Mecca. Goodrich sign. 
12.4 Branch road northeast (left) comes from Mecca. (See p. 20.) Road 

southwest goes to ranches. Continue straight. 
13. 7 Branch road goes straight west. 
14. 8 Ranch house on east side of road. Water. 
15. Oasis School, on west side of road. Ranch on east side. Water at 

either place. 

15. 5 Auto Club sign. Branch road goes west. 

16. Auto Club sign. Branch road goes west. Main road turns southeast. 
16. 4 Ranch house on east. Water. Follow best traveled road southeast. 

There are a number of turns and several side trails but road is 

adequately posted. 
21. 5 Geological Survey and Goodrich signs. Water at Figtree John Spring, 

0.1 mile on right-hand fork, under palm trees. Turn off to this or 

keep in straight road. Distances about equal. 
23. 8 Auto Club sign. Road to left leads by Fish Spring, 0.2 mile away, and 

returns from there to straight road. About 0.1 mile, longer by springs 

than straight road. Mileage measured by way of spring. 

24. Fish Spring. Water in pool, poor quality. , 

24. 2 Return to main road and go southwest toward base of mountains. Road 

rather sandy here. 
25. 6 Road swings southeast, away from mountains. Mostly graded and 
graveled or otherwise improved. 

31. Paved crossing over bed of arroyo. 
31.6 Wooden bridge over arroyo. 

32. 4 Cabin on west side of road, headquarters for road workers. This may 

have been moved since 1918. 

32. 5 Concrete crossing over bed of deep arroyo. 

33. Wooden bridge over small arroyo. Trail said to lead west up this arroyo 

to Seventeen Palms. 

36. Concrete crossing over bed of large arroyo. 

37. 7 Geological Survey sign on north bank of large arroyo with concrete cross- 

ing. Trail leads west up wash to McCain Spring, 2.4 miles. Poor 

water. 
39. 2 Cross large arroyo. 
41. 8 Road bends sharply east, avoiding old beach, which circles east around 

point of badland hills visible from road. Several large crescentic sand 

dunes along each side of road in next 4 miles. 

44. 3 Turn nearly south down slope to San Felipe Creek. 

47. 4 Cross culvert over bed of San Felipe Creek. Water usually running 
here, but do not drink this water. 

47. 5 Dim trail to right. Main road turns to left. 

49. Kane Spring reservoir on east (left) side of road. Water at pipe lead- 
ing out of reservoir, poor but drinkable. Geological Survey and Auto 
Club signs. Branch road west to Harper Well and Borego Valley. 
(See p. 35.) Turn east up hill. 

49. 1 Narrow pavement begins here. Read big red-letter sign giving road rules. 

Turnouts about every quarter mile. 
56. 1 End of pavement. Cross bridge over irrigation ditch and turn southeast 

along ditch. (Water for emergencies.) 
57. Auto Club sign. Go straight east away from ditch. 



20 ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

58. 9 Go 100 feet south and continue^ east. Good dirt road. Branch roads every 
half mile or mile serve neighboring ranches but vs^ill not be men- 
tioned unless important. Road is adequately signed all the way to 
Brawley. 

61. 5, Good branch road north said to be short cut to Calipatria and Niland. 
Goodrich and Auto Club signs. Continue east. 

62.5 Crossroads. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn south (right). 

63. Auto Club sign. Branch road continues south. Turn east. 

63. 3 Cross tracks of branch line Inter-California Railway. 

63.5 Auto Club sign. Turn south (right). 

64. Westmoreland store and post office. Auto Club signs. Water, gasoline, 
and provisions. Turn east. Branch roads go south and west. 

66. 5 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Highway turns south at crossroads. 

71.5 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn east (left) down hill. 

71. 6 Bridge over New River. 

72. Palm-lined street (Main Street) leads into Brawley. 

73. Paved street. Auto Club signs. Continue east to railway station. Road 

south (right) around triangular court leads to Imperial and El Centro, 
73. 3 Brawley, railway crossing at station. 

MECCA TO BRAWLEY. 
0. Mecca, water fountain near railway station. Go north to post office and 

turn west. 
0.2 Cross Southern Pacific Railroad and turn south (left). Road along rail- 
way to northwest goes to Coachella. Road to west may be used to 
Brawley or Coaichella, connecting with highway 2 miles west. 

1.2 Auto Club sign. Crossroads. Turn west. 

1. 9 Auto Club sign. Turn southwest. Several trails lead to left at various 
places, but try to keep main road going southwest. 

3. 6 Reach Coachella-Brawley road and turn straight south. Set to 12.4 for 
mileage from Coachella and use Coachella-Brawley log (p. 18). It 
may be possible to get astray in branch roads before reaching this 
point, but all lead into highway at no great distance, and some point 
beyond, like Oasis School or Figtree John Spring, can be identified and 
readings corrected to suit. 

BSAWLEY TO COACHELLA (73 MILES). 
Note.— An appendix to this log (p. 22) gives route into Mecca from the point 
where it diverges from the Coachella road. If the Mecca road is used follow 
Mecca-Banning log out of Mecca (p. 16). 

0. Brawley, railway crossing at station. Go west on Main Street. 

0. 3 Auto Club signs. Road south (left) around triangular court leads to 

Imperial and El Centro. Continue west. 
1. 6 Bridge over New River. 

1. 8 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn north (right). The region for next 

15 miles is well settled, and branch roads every half mile or mile 
serve neighboring ranches. Only the important roads will be men- 
tioned. Road is adequately posted. 
6. 8 Highway turns west (left) at crossroads. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. 

9. 3 Westmoreland, store and post office. Water, gasoline, and provisions. 

The last supply station for 64 miles unless passing through Mecca, 

which is 55 miles away. Turn north (right). 
9. 8 Auto Club sign. Turn west (left). 
10. Cross track of branch line Inter-California Railway. 
10^ 3 Auto Club sign. Turn north. 



SALTOIT SEA KEGION, CALIFORNIA. 21 

10. 8 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn west at crossroads. 

11. 8 Goodrich and Auto Club signs. Good branch road north, said to go to 

Calipatria and Niland. 
14. 4 Go 100 feet north and continue west. 

16. 3 Auto Club sign. Turn northwest along irrigation ditch. 

17. 2 Turn west across ditch and start on narrow concrete road. Read big 

red-letter signboard giving traffic rules. Turnouts provided about 

every quarter mile. 
24. 2 End of paved road. 
24.3 Geological Survey and Auto Club signs. Turn to right around Kane 

Spring reservoir. Road to left goes to Harper Well, Borego Valley, 

etc. (S'ee p. 35.) Water at pipe out of reservoir is drinkable but not 

good. 

25. 8 Dim trail to left. Turn right across San Felipe Creek. 

25. 9 Culvert over San Felipe Creek. Usually running water of bad quality. 

Do not drink. 

29. Turn west around point of badland hills at foot of which lies old beach 

(very sandy). There are numerous isolated crescentic sand dunes 
along the road here. 
31. 5 Road turns more to north. 

34. 1 Cross large arroyo. 

35. 6 Concrete crossing over bed of deep arroyo. On north bank of this wash 
is Geological Survey sign. Trail leads up bed of wash to McCain 
Spring, 2.4 miles away. Poor water but drinkable. 

37. 3 Concrete crossing over bed of large arroyo. 

40. 3 Wooden bi^idge over arroyo. Trail said to lead west up this arroyo to 

Seventeen Palms. 

40. 8 Concrete crossing over bed of large arroyo. 

40. 9 Cabin on west side of road, headquarters for road workers. This may 

have been moved since 1918. 

41. 7 Wooden bridge over small arroyo. 

42. 3 Concrete crossing over bed of arroyo. 

47. 7 Road, which has approached base of mountains, swings northeast away 

from it. Rather sandy here. 
49. 1 Auto Club sign. Branch road to right goes to Fish Spring, 0.2 mile 

away, and returns to straight road farther on. Mileage was measured 

on this branch. 
49. 3 Fish Spring. Poor water in pool. 
49. 5 Return to straight road. 
51. 7 Branch road to left leads to Figtree John Spring, under palms 0.1 mile 

away. Good water. 
51. 8 Geological Survey and Goodrich signs point to Figtree John Spring, 

From this point road is crooked for several miles, and numerous trails 

turn off, but main road is distinct and easy to follow. Well^ signed. 

56. 9 Ranch house on east. Water. 

57.3 Auto Club sign. Turn straight north (right). Branch road leads west. 

57. 8 Auto Club sign. Branch road west. 

58. 3 Oasis School on west side of road. Ranch house on east. Water. 

58. 5 Ranch house on east. Water. 

59. 6 Branch road leads west. 

60.9 Bj-anch road northeast (right) goes to Mecca. See appendix to this log 
(p. 22). One may also turn off later for Mecca, but this road is 
shortest. Continue north to Coachella. 

61. 9 Goodrich sign. Branch road northeast goes to Mecca. Little traveled. 



22 BOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

63. 1 Crossroads. Auto Club sign. Mecca is 2 miles due east Continue north 

•to Coachella. 
64. 1 Crossroads. Continue north. 
6-5. 1 Crossroads. Continue north. 

65. 9 Southern Pacific Railroad. Auto Club and (Goodrich signs. Turn north- 

west along track. Road from southeast comes from Mecca. Pass 
through abandoned town of Arabia here. 

66. 2 Crossroads. Roads run east and west. Contioue along railway. 

67. 5 Turn west, awav from track, to avoid bad road. 
67.6 Crossroads. Turn north to railway again. 

67. 8 Follow railway northwest. 

68. 6 Thermal railway station. Water, gasoline. hoteL 

68. 7 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn west, away from railroad. Branch 

road crosses to east side of railway. 
70. 6 Auto Club sign. Branch road continues straight. Main road turns 

north. 
71. 5 Auto Club sign. Go 100 feet west and continue north. 
73. Turn northwest near railway into Coachella. 
73. 3 Coachella. Central business block, opposite railway station. 
Note. — If continuing to Banning see log on page 16. 

TO UECCA FHOU BSAWI^ey SOAC. 

60. 9 Take right-hand road northeast. May be several trails, but all go to the 
same place. 

62. 6 Auto Club sign. Turn straight east. 

63.3 Crossroads. Auto Club sign. Turn north (left). 

64. 3 Southern Pacific Railroad. Cross tracks and go east into Mecca. Road 
along tracks here goes to Coachella and road straight west intersects 
Brawley-Coachella road. 

64. 4 Mecca. Post office and hoteL Turn .south to water fountain and rail- 
way station. 

64. o Mecca railway station. 

BBAWIaET-lTLLANT). 
BHAWXET TO MTLAlfD (20 JULES). 

0. Brawley. Railway crossing and station. Go east. 

1.2 Auto Club signs. Turn north at cro.?sroads. 

5. 7 Turn west a few hundred feet, then north again along railway. Road is 
signed. 

7. 3 Cross Alamo River and continue north along railway. 
10. 7 Turn west, crossing railway. Road is signed. 
11. Turn north at crossroads. Road is signed. 
12. Cross main street of Calipatria. Continue north. 
12. 5 Turn west. Road is signed. 
12. 8 Turn north. Road is signed. 

18. 8 Turn east. 

18.9 Turn north again. Road is signed. 

20. 4 Xiland. Comer by ix)St office, one block south of railway station. Geo- 
logical Survey sign. 

-SILASB TO BBAWTET (20 MILES). 

0. Xiland. Corner by post office, one block south of railway station. CJeo- 
logical Survey sign on corner. Go .south. There are crossroads every 



SALTOiT SEA KEGIOJT, CALirORNIA. 23 

half mile or mile along this highway, but only the important ones will 

be mentioned. 
1.5 Turn west (right). Road is signed- 
1. 6 Turn south. Road is signed. 
7. 6 Auto Club signs. Turn east. 
7. 9 Turn south. Road is signed. 

8. 4 Cross main street of Calipatria. Continue south. 
9. 4 Auto Club signs. Turn east at crossroads. 
9. 7 Cross railway and ttu-n south along track. 
13. 1 Cross Alamo River and continue south along railway. 

14. 6 Turn a few hundred feet east, away from railway, and go due south. 

Road is signed. 
19. 2 Crossroads. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn west. 
20. 4 Brawley, at railway crossing and railway station. 

NILAND-GLAMIS-YTJMA. 
miAND TO YTTMA (73 MILES). 

0. Niland. Corner by post office, one block south of railway station. 

Geological Survej- sign on corner. Go east. 
0. 2 Cross Southern Pacific Railroad and turn southeast along north side 

of track. 
0. 5 Auto club sign. Plain road leads north. Continue along track. 

3. 7 TuLrn east, away from track, crossing East Highline canal of Imperial 

Irrigation District, about 100 feet from the railway. A dim road leads 
southeast (right) along track to Flowing Well, a railway station half 
a mile away. Go straight ahead, up hill that marks old beach. This 
is very sandy. It may be necessary to deflate tires to about 35-poimd 
pressure here. 
4. 5 Top of hill. Follow main road. 

6. 8 Plain trail turns to left up large wash. There are numerous tracks in 

next 3 miles that turn to the left toward the Chocolate Mountains. 
Some of these go to Salvation Spring. (See p. 57.) Ignore them and 
continue southeast on main traveled road. 

8. 9 Another very plain trail leads to left toward mountains. Continue 

straight ahead. There are bad sandy spots in next 3 miles. 

14. 4 Auto club sign. Cross trail running northeast and southwest. Go 

straight ahead. 

15. 5 Auto club sign. Faint trail continues straight ahead but main road turns 

to right, toward railway. 

16. 2 Railway. Cross and go southeast along track. A dim branch road comes 

down railway from Mammoth "Wash. 

19. 3 Amos railway station. Water obtainable from cistern supplied by rail- 
way company. Charge of 5 cents per head for stock. Continue along 
south side of track. 

32. 7 Pass Glamis railway station, which is on north side of railway, and con- 
tinue southeast 0.1 mile. 

32.5 Cross to north side of track and turn back northwest to railway sta- 

tion. 
32. 9 Glamis railway station. Water can be had from railway cistern. 
Charge for stock. Gasoline and meals are obtainable at store. To 
leave Glamis go northeast, away from railway, on main road, which is 
well signed. 



24 



ROUTES TO DESERT WATERISTG PLACES. 



33. 1 Road forks. Auto club sign. Left-hand road continues northeast to 
Blythe. Right-hand road turns southeast to Yuma. Road parallels 
railway but keeps at a distance. 

37. 9 Turn south toward railway. 

38. 9 Cross track to south side of railway. A dim branch road comes in down 

railway. Turn southeast beside track. 

52. 1 Ogilby railway station. Water is obtainable from cistern kept by rail- 
way company. Gasoline can be purchased. Continue along railway. 

56. Branch road comes in from southwest. This is the Sand Hills or Holt- 
ville route to Yuma. Continue along railway. 

58. 8 Road forks. Goodrich sign. Right-hand road continues along railway 
into Yuma, passing close to Colorado River for last 5 miles. This road 
is very hilly and sandy and consequently less traveled. Left-hand road 
crosses railway and goes north. Optional logs given. 



Left-hand or " mesa " road. 

58. 8 Cross railway and go north. 

59. 8 Dim road goes to left. Continue 

to right. 

61. 9 Geological Survey sign. Branch 

road goes northwest to Blythe. 
Turn southeast here on main 
road. 

65. Descend hill and follow sandy 

wash It miles, passing through 
cut in river terrace, 50 feet 
high. 
66. 5 Branch road goes southwest. 
Turn left (east) along irriga- 
tion ditch. 

67.4 Turn south (right). 

67. 9 Touch railway and turn east 
(left). Branch road crosses 
railway to south. 

70. 1 Cross bridge over very large 

canal. 

70. 2 Bridge over large canal. 

70. 9 Geological Survey sign at cross- 
roads. Turn south to Yuma. 

72. 4 Cross a railway track and turn 
east, uphill, to bridge over 
Colorado River. River road 
(right-hand branch) joins 
here. Fort Yuma Indian 
School on hill. 

72. 5 California side of bridge over 

Colorado River. Follow prin- 
cipal streets into Yuma. 
72.9 Yuma, Ariz., at post office or 
railway station. 



Right-hand or river road. 

58. 8 Take right-hand road, continu- 
ing along track. 

63.2 Turn south (right), away from 

railway, along levee. 
64. 2 Turn east, along levee. Exact 
course of road not known here 
but it goes nearly east into 
Yuma. Follow main road. 

67.3 (Approximate distance.) Win- 

terhaven. Small village. 
Water, store and supplies. 

68. 2 Pass under railway bridge and 
turn north, uphill. 

68. 3 Join left-hand road and turn 
east Uphill to bridge over 
Colorado River. Fort Yuma 
Indian School on hill. 

68. 4 California side of bridge. Fol- 
low principal street into Yuma. 

68. 8 Yuma, Ariz., at post office or 
railway station. 



SALTON SEA KEGION", CALIFORNIA. 



25 



YUMA TO NILAND (73 MILES). 

0. Yuma. At post office or railway station. Follow principal streets to 

bridge over Colorado River. 
0. 4 California side of bridge. 
0. 5 Road forks. Left-hand road follows river and railway. Right-hand 

road crosses valley and "mesa." The right-hand road is most used. 

Optional logs are given. 



Left hand or river road. 
0.5 Turn south, pass west under 
railway bridge, go north a few 
hundred feet, then west. This 
route was not traversed, but 
goes approximately west. Fol- 
low main road. 

1.5 (Approximate distance.) Win- 

terhaven. A little village. 
Water, store, supplies. 
Continue west, taking a course 
along levee. 

4. 6 Turn north along levee. 

5. 6 Turn west (left) along south 
side of railway. Ground badly 
dissected, hilly, and sandy. 
Sand may give trouble. 
10.0 Right-hand road comes in from 
north, across track. Goodrich 
sign. Set to 14.1 and follow 
railway. 



Right-liand or " mesa " road. 

0. 5 Cross railway track and turn to 
right around hill on which is 
Indian school. Then go due 
north. 

2.0 Geological Survey sign. Road 
north goes to Picacho (p. 63), 
road east to Laguna dam (p. 
63).. Turn west to Niland. 

2.7 Cross bridge over large canal. 

2. 8 Cross bridge over very large 
canal. 

5. Road touches railway and turns 
north /(right). Branch road 
leads south across railway. 

5.5 Turn west (left). 

6.4 Turn north (right), passing up 
wash through heavy sand for 
IJ miles. A branch road leads 
southwest at this point. 

11.0 Road forks. Geological Survey 
and Auto Club signs. Most 
travelers take left-hand road 
to Ogilby. One may, however, 
continue west and make a cut- 
off by utilizing some good but 
little-traveled roads. 

14. 1 Goodrich sign. Cross railway 
and join river road. 

14. 1 Proceed northwest along south side of track. 

16. 9 Auto Club sign. Branch road goes southwest, away from track. This 
is the " Sand Hills " or Holtville route to El Centre. Continue along 
track. 

20.8 Ogilby railway station. Water is obtainable from a railway cistern. 
Charge of 5 cents per head to water stock. Gasoline. The branch 
road mentioned under 11.0 on right-hand road comes in here. A num- 
ber of trails lead northeast to points in the mountains and to an inter- 
section with Tumco road. (See p. 61.) A road also goes south to 
Holtville road. Continue along railway. 

34. Cross track to north side of railway. A branch road continues along 
track but is very sandy. 

35. Turn west, paralleling railway but keeping at a distance. 

39. 8 Branch road goes northeast to Blythe. Auto Club signs. Turn south- 
west into Glamis, 



26 KOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

» 

40. Glamis railway station. Water obtainable from railway company. 

Charge for stock. Gasoline and meals obtainable at store. To leave 
Glamis, turn east at station along north side of railway. 

40. 1 Cross to south side of track and turn back northwest. Road is well 

signed. 
53.6 Amos railway station. Water obtainable from railway company. 

Charge for stock. Continue along south side of track. 
56. 7 Cross railway and go northwest, away from track, avoiding bad sand 

in Mammoth Wash. A dim road continues along railway. 

57. 4 Auto Club sign. Faint trail southeast. Continue northwest. 

58.5 Cross trail running northeast and southwest. Auto Club sign. There 

is some bad sand in next 3 miles. 
64. Trail leads northeast up big wash. A great many tracks turn off in this 
direction in the next 3 miles, some of which undoubtedly lead to Sal- 
vation Spring. ( See p. 57. ) Keep the main traveled road westward. 

66. 1 Very plain road goes northeast, up wash. Continue west. 

68. 4 Top of hill marking old beach. There is very deep sand here but it is 
not often troublesome in descending. 

69.2 East Highline canal of Imperial Irrigation District. Cross canal and 

take road northwest along railway, v/hich is reached at this point. A 
branch road goes southeast to Flowing Wells, a railway station half a 
mile away, but it is very sandy. 

72. 4 Auto Club sign. Branch road goes northeast. Continue along railway. 

72. 7 Cross railway and go west into Niland. 

72. 9 Mland. Corner by post office, one block south of depot. Geological Sur- 
vey and Auto Club signs. Main road leads south to Brawley and El 
Centre, from which routes lead to Los Angeles and San Diego. 

BE,AWLEY-EL CENTRO. 

BRAWLEY TO EL CENTRO (15 MILES). 

0. Brawley. At railway crossing and station. Go west on paved street. 
0.3 Auto Club signs. Turn southwest (left) around triangular park. Road 

west goes to Los Angeles. 
0. 4 Turn due south. 

0. 6 Auto Club sign. Turn west off of paved streets. 
0.9 Turn southwest (left). 

1. 1 Leave city streets and go nearly south along canal. 

2. 3 Road bears southwest. 

3. 4 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn due south across canal. 
9. 9 Reach paved streets of Imperial. 

10. 4 Imperial. Main Street. Big sign in center of street crossing. Cross 

Main Street and continue south. 
10. 9 End of pavement. Continue south on good road. 
13.9 Geological Survey sign. Paved road goes west to San Diego. Continue 

south to El Centre. 
14. 2 Turn east on paved street. 
15. 1 El Centre. At railway crossing and station. 

I 
EL CENTRO TO BRAWLEY (16 MILES). 

0.0 El Centre. Railway crossing and station. Go west. 
0. 9 Turn north on paved street. 

1. 2 Geological Survey sign. Paved street goes west to San Diego. For 

Brawley continue north on good dirt road. 



SALTOW SEA BEGIOST, CALIFORNIA. 27 

4.2 Paved street of Imperial. 

4. 7 Imperial. Main Street. Cross Main Street and continue north. 

5. 2 End of paved street. Continue nortli. 
11. 7 Auto Club sign. Cross canal and turn northeast. 
12. 8 Road turns nearly north. 

14. Auto Club sign. Turn northeast on streets of Brawley. 

14.2 Turn due east (right). 

14.5 Auto Club sign. Paved street. Turn north (left). 

14. 7 Turn to right around triangular park. 

14.8 Turn due east (right) on Main Street. Road west goes to Los Angeles. 

(See p. 20.) 

15.1 Brawley. Railway crossing at station. For Niland continue east. (See 

p. 22.) 

SATT DIEGO-JACTJMBA. 

The highway between San Diego and El Centro forms a part of the coast 
route from Los Angeles to Imperial Valley, Yuma, and Phoenix. Several inland 
routes leading from Los Angeles connect with this highway near Campo and 
about 20 miles west of Jacumba. 

The route from San Diego to Jacumba, about 76 miles, lies mainly on the 
Pacific slope and crosses well-settled country where agriculture and grazing are 
the principal industries and where water is relatively plentiful. For fruit 
raising or agriculture, irrigation is generally practiced, but it is only beyond 
Jacumba that the change from a well-watered country to a desert becomes 
marked. Tourists are referred to the Automobile Club of Southern California, 
the Goodrich Touring Bureau, and the standard guides for information about 
roads and places. No Geological Survey signs will be seen until the desert is 
reached. 

' JACITMBA-EL CEJTTRO. 
JACUMBA TO EL CENTRO (46 MILES). 

0. Jacumba. Front of hotel and camp by springs. Auto Club signs. Store 

on south side of road. Go east. 
5. 7 Cabin on south side of road. Road leading north goes to Smuggler 

Spring, one-fourth mile away. * 

8. 7 Mountain Springs. Store. Water. 

8. 8 Mountain Springs. Water trough. Follow down canyon. 
14. Bridge over canyon at edge of mountains. Pavement begins. 

14.8 Leave mountain wall and start over desert plain. 
16. Pass under railway bridge. 

20. Coyote Wells. Store, post office, and railway station. Water. 

22. 9 Trail leading north goes to marble quarry. 

26. 1 Road turns due east. 

28. 8 Geological Survey sign. Branch road leading north goes to Carrizo and 

Julian. ( See p. 41. ) 
30. 8 Road northwest goes across desert to Carrizo. Road leading south goes 

to Yuha Wells. (Seep. 45.) 
32. 1 Dixieland. Water, gasoline. 

36. 3 Go south 0.2 mile, then east across New River, then north to line of 

straight road, then east. This part not paved. When the new bridge 
is completed this jog will not be made. 
157138°— 20 3 



28 EOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

36. 8 Go east on boulevard. 

37. 2 South edge of Seeley. "Water, supplies. Road goes northwest 1 mile. 

38. 2 Turn due east across railway. 

44. 5 Geological Survey, Auto Club, and Goodrich signs at west edge of El 

Centre. Go south over paved road. 
44. 8 Turn east to center of town. 
4.5. 4 Auto Club sign at street corner. 

45. 6 El Centre railway station. 

EL CENTRO TO JACXTMBA (46 MILES). 

0. El Centre railway station. Go west. 

0. 2 Auto Club sign at street corner. Continue westward. 

0. 9 Turn north, following pavement. 

1. 1 Geological Survey and Auto Club signs. Turn west on pavement. 
7. 4 Cross railway. Go southwest 1 mile through Seeley. 

8. 4 Seeley. Water, supplies. Road turns due west again. 

8. 8 Go south 0.1 mile, then west over New River, then north again. This 

road not paved. If new bridge is completed this road will be straight. 

9. 3 Go west on pavement in Une with Seeley. 

13.5 Dixieland store. Water. 

14. 8 Branch road goes northwest to Carrizo, but better road to Carrizo 
farther on. Branch road leading south goes to Yuha Wells. (See 
p. 45.) 

16. 8 Geological Survey sign. Road leading north goes to Carrizo and Julian. 
(See p. 41.) 

19. 5 Boulevard turns southwest. 

22. 7 Trail leading north goes to marble quarry. 

25. 6 Coyote Wells. Water, store, post office, and railway station. 

29. 6 Pass under railway bridge. 

30. 8 Road skirts mountain walls. 

31. 6 Bridge over canyon. End of pavement. Follow main traveled road 

along canyon and over mountains. 
36. 8 Mountain Springs. Water trough. 
36. 9 Mountain Springs store. Water. 

39. 9 Cabin on south side of road. Branch road leading north goes to Smug- 

gler Spring, one-fourth mile away. 
44. 2 Descend into Jacumba Valley. 
45. 6 Jacumba. Hotel, camp, and springs, on north side of road. Store on 

south side. Auto Club signs. 

EL CENTRO-YUMA. 

EL CENTRO TO YUMA (67 MILES). 

0. El Centro railway station. Go east. 

0. 9 Auto Club sign. Branch road leads south to Calexico. Continue east. 

2.4 Auto Club sign. Turn north (left). 

2. 7 Holtville Interurban Railway. Cross railway and turn east along it. 

6. 4 Meloland store. 

8. 8 Auto Club sign. Turn north, away from railroad. 

9. 2 Auto Club sign. Turn east to Holtville. 
9. 7 Bridge over Alamo River. 

10. 6 Holtville. Northwest corner of open square containing City hall, Tiirn 
poutlj one blQcfe, post office on ri^ht, 



SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 



29 



10. 7 Turn east from post-office corner at southwest corner of square. 

11. Auto Club sign. Turn south. 

11.4 Cross canal bridge. Turn southeast. 

13.1 Turn south. 

13. 9 Turn east. 

14. 6 Auto Club sign. Turn south. 

15. 5 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Branch road leads south to Calexico. 

Go east for Yuma. 

17. 5 Alamo School. Water at faucet on ground just west of elevated iron 
tank. Geological Survey sign on corner, also store. Continue east. 

19. 2 Highline canal at east edge of Imperial Valley. Cross and start east 
over desert. Heavy sand at first. Read big warning board of Auto 
Club. Many trails cross and recross over next 20 miles, but all 
eventually return to main road. Pick out the best or plainest road. 
Numerous Auto Club signs, but travelers may not pass near enough 
to see them. 

30.9 New County Well. Windmill. Good water. Nearly all tracks pass 
this well. Next 10 miles very sandy. 

40. 4 Planked road that crosses Sand Hills. . ■ 

40. 6 Old County Well and roadmen's house. Good water. Electric trans- 
mission line crosses road several times in next few miles. 

47.2 Planked road ends. Good road beyond. 

47.8 Geological Survey sign. Road north (left) is cut-off to Ogilby. Road 

along electric transmission line is used by linemen and branches to 

right, disappearing from main road. 
50. 2 Southern Pacific Railroad. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Follow 

railway southeast. 
53. Goodrich sign. Road forks. Right-hand road, following railroad and 

river, is the shorter but is hilly and very sandy. Left-hand road 

is best. Optional logs given. 



Left-hand or mesa road. 

53. Cross railroad and go north. 

54. Branch road on left. Take right- 

hand fork. 
56. 1 Geological Survey and Goodrich 
signs. Turn southeast. Road 
leading west goes to Ogilby, 
also to Blythe (p. 62). 

59. 2 Enter sandy wash. 

60. 7 Turn east along irrigation ditch. 
61.6 Turn south. 

62. 1 Railroad. Turn east. 

64. 3 Bridge over very large canal. 

64. 4 Bridge over large canal. 

65. 1 Geological Survey sign. Road 
north leads to Pichaco (p. 63). 
Road east to Laguna dam 
(p. 63). Turn south for 
Yuma. 

§6. River road comes in just west of 
Ijridge at Indian scbool, 



Riffht-hand or river road. 

53. Follow railroad southeast. 

56. 4 Turn south, away from railroad, 

along levee. 

57. 4 Turn east, along levee. In gen- 

eral, route is east into Yuma, 
but route was not traversed. 

61.5 (Approximate distance.) Win- 
terhaven. Small village. 
Water, store, and supplies. 

62. 7 Railroad bridge, pass under and 
turn to the left. Road joins 
mesa road at 63.0, just west of 
bridge. Set gage to 66.6. 



30 



KOUTES TO DESERT "WATERING PLACES. 



66. 7 Bridge over Colorado River. Follovp' principal streets into Yuma. 
67. 1 Yuma. At railway station or post office. The two are about three 
blocks apart, but equal distances from bridge. 

YUMA TO EL CENTRO (67 MILES). 

0. Yuma. Post office or railway station. Follow principal streets to bridge 

over Colorado River. 
0. 4 California side of bridge. 
0. 5 Road forks. Left-hand road follows river and railway and is sandy 

and hilly. Right-hand road crosses valley and " mesa " and is most 

used. Optional logs given. 



Left-hand or river road. 

0. 5 Turn south, pass west under 
railway bridge, go north a few 
hundred feet, then west. This 
road was not traversed but 
goes approximately west. 
Follow main road. 

1. 5 (Approximate distance.) Win- 
terhaven. Small village. 
Water, store, and supplies. 
Continue west along levee. 

4. 6 Turn north along levee. 

5.6 Turn west (left) along south 
side of railway. Cross much 
hilly, sandy land. Sand may 
give trouble. 
10. Mesa road comes in across rail- 
way. Goodrich, sign. Set gage 
to 14.1. 



Right-hand or " mesa " road. 

0. 5 Cross railway and turn around 
hill oh which is Indian school. 
Then go due north. 

2. Geological Survey sign. Road 
leading north goes to Picacho 
(p. 63). Road leading east 
goes to Laguna dam (p. 63). 
Turn west for Imperial Valley 
or Blythe. 

2. 7 Bridge over large canal. 

2. 8 Bridge over very large canal. 

5.0 Railway. Turn north (right). 

5.5 Turn west (left). 

6.4 Road forks. Turn north (right). 
Pass up wash for li miles. 
Heavy sand. 

11. Geological Survey and Goodrich 

signs. Turn south (left). 
Road leading west goes to 
Ogilby. Road leading west 
goes to Blythe (p. 62). 

14. 1 Railway. Cross. River road 

comes in here. Goodrich 
sign. 



14. 1 Turn northwest along railroad. 

16. 9 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn southwest (left) away from rail- 
road. Road along railway goes to Niland (see p. 25). 

19. 8 Electric transmission line. Geological Survey sign. Road leading north 
is cut off to Ogilby. Road along electric transmission line is used by 
linemen. 

19. 9 Planked road crossing Sand Hills begins. 

26. 5 Old County Well and roadmen's house. Water. West edge of Sand 
Hills. 

26. 7 End of planked road. Follow best or plainest track. Many winding 
trails cross and recross, but all eventually unite. For this reason 



SALTON" SEA KEGIOlsr, CALIFORNIA. 31 

traveler may not pass Auto Club signs erected at numerous places on 
route. In general keep west. The next 5 miles are very sandy. 

36. 2 New County Well. Windmill. Good water. 

47. 9 Highline canal at east edge of Imperial Valley. Cross and go west. 

49.6 Alamo School. Geological Survey sign. Store. Water at faucet on 

ground west of elevated iron tank. 

51. 6 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Go north ( right ) for Holtville and El 

Centro. 

52. 5 Road turns west. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. 

53. 2 Road turns north. 

54. Road turns northwest. 

55. 7 Canal bridge. Cross and turn north. 

56. 1 Auto Club sign. Turn west and go into Holtville. 

56. 4 Holtville. Southwest corner of open square containing city hall. Post 
office is just north. Go north one block and then turn west for El 
Centro. 

57. 4 Bridge over Alamo River. 

57.9 Auto Club sign. Turn south (left). 

58. 3 Holtville Interurban Railway. Turn west along railway. 
60.7 Meloland store. 

64. 4 Road crosses railroad and goes south. 
64.7 Auto Club sign. Turn west (right). 

66.2 Auto Club sign. Road leading south goes to Calexico. Keep west for 

El Centro. 

67. 1 El Centro. At railway crossing and depot. 

WARNER-BOREGO VALLEY-BRAWLEY. 
"WARNER TO BRAWLEY (91 MILES). 

0. Warner Hot Springs. Post office. Take supplies enough to last 80 miles. 

Start east. The road has changed somewhat recently, and it may be 
well to make local inquiry before starting. Ascend a steep hill just 
east of Warner. The first 6 miles of this road is not very thoroughly 
known. 

1. 8 Cross Canada Verde, a little creek of running water. 

2. 9 Branch road goes east. Continue south on plainest road. There may be 

dim trails and tracks to either side at a number of places. 

5. 9 Just on top of a little granite hill the road forks. Geological Survey 
sign. The road southeast continues straight ahead to San Felipe 
Valley, etc. (See p. 38.) Turn east (left) toward Borego. 

8. 1 Branch road leads north (left) to a mine visible on the mountain side 
about a mile away. Continue east. 

8. 2 Pass through a gate, the boundary of Warner ranch. 

8. 4 Branch road goes east (left) to Montezuma. This may be better traveled 
than the Borego road. Turn southeast (right) to Grapevine Canyon 
and Borego. There are usually wooden signs at this fork. 

10. 2 Summit of divide. Turn down Grapevine Canyon to southeast. The 

road is narrow and rocky but passable. 
11. 5 A trail leads to the left up a side canyon. Continue southeast. 
11. 7 A trail leads to the left, to a cabin half a mile away. Another trail leads 

to this 0.2 mile farther on. Continue southeast. 



32 ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

11. 9 A trail leads to left, to a cabin half a mile away. There is water at this 

cabin and the road is passable, but water is also obtainable nearer the 
road farther on. Continue to the right, on plainest road. 
12. Grapevine Spring. Water about 150 feet off the road to the right in the 
wash, the upper part of the spring. The road goes southeast down a 
steep hill. 

12. 5 A cabin stands in the little valley on the right, and water is obtainable 

in the canyon. Turn to the left, continuing down the canyon. 

13. 9 Geological Survey sign on north side of road. Water trough at a spring 
100 feet north. This is called Stuart Spring, or Sumac Spring. Con- 
tinue east, down the canyon. 

21. 4 Geological Survey sign on north side of road. There is usually a little 
pool of poor but drinkable water in a hole 100 feet north. This is 
called Yaqui Well. Continue east, down the canyon. 

22. 4 The road crosses from north to south side of the big sandy wash which 
occupies the bed of the canyon. This is often troublesome on account 
of sand. Continue east, on south side of wash, on a sort of terrace. 

26. At about this point the road descends from the little terrace to the bed 
of the wash and continues east. 

27.0 The Narrows, a gorge about 300 feet wide, through which the road 

passes. Geological Survey sign at lower end of gorge. Road to Borego 
turns to the left out of the wash and goes north across a broken divide. 
A branch road, sometimes obscured at this place, leads east, down the 
wash (right) and reaches Brawley, effecting a cut-off of several miles. 
At one time this was a country road, but in 1918 it was very bad. See 
appendix to this log (p. 34). Take road to left and disregard a few 
dim trails leading east (right). 

32.1 Pass little cabin on right (east) of road. 

33.6 House on left (west). Water at flowing well in yard. Continue north- 
west. 

33. 9 Geological Survey sign. Road straight ahead goes to ranches in Borego 
Valley. Take road which turns east to go to Brawley. 

36. 7 Road splits around a clump of green trees and a little wire-fenced corral. 
Take either branch. 

36. 8 Borego Spring in clump of trees. Cattle trough. Good water in barrel 
buried in the center of the bushes. Geological Survey sign on promi- 
nent elevation 200 feet north of spring. Take main road leading 
southeast, ignoring several trails that lead southwest to a cabin visible 
half a mile away. The cabin marks the place originally known as 
Borego Spring, and there is water there also. 

39.8 Road descends into bed of San Felipe Creek (dry). Geological Survey 
sign on north side of road. Continue east, following trails down 
wash. 

41.8 About here road branches. Various tracks, much scattered, over wide 
silt-floored wash. Some swing east (left), passing down San Felipe 
Wash near Barrel Spring; others skirt Borego Mountain, a long low 
mountain, rising to two peaks on the southwest. Both routes bad but 
latter is preferable as San Felipe Wash is very sandy. Optional logs 
are given. 



SALTOW SEA EEGIOlir, CALIFOBNIA. 



33 



Left-hand route, t>i/ way of Barrel 
Spring. . 

41.8 Swing east (left), down broad 
wash. 

47. 8 Big board sign on white post 
points north to Barrel 
Spring, one-half mile. 
Tracks lead to the spring but 
the road is very sandy and 
hardly passable for automo- 
biles. Continue east down 
wash. Very bad sand at 
places. Water poor. 

53. 0-54. The tracks leading dowtt 

the wash gradually separate 
and no road at all is left. 
Turn to the right out of the 
wash, cross country in best 
way possible,, following a trail 
if one can be found. 

54. 0-55, At this distance one should 

intersect the main road lead- 
ing southeast and follow it. 
He will probably reach the 
Geological Survey sign at the 
forks and should continue 
southeast. 



Right-Jvand route, skirting mountain. 

41. 8 Continue southeast, skirting 
Borego Mountain at a distance 
of about half a mile from base. 
There are sand drifts here 
that get worse close in to the 
mountain. There is almost no 
road at all, although tracks 
appear at places. 

46. At about this point the tracks 
gradually converge into a 
plain trail and cross a small 
playa, thence continuing 
southeast across broken land 
with sandy washes. The road 
is bad but mostly plain and 
passable. 

53. 8 A dim trail comes in from 
north, and a wooden sign 
points along this trail to 
Barrel Spring. It is part of 
the left - hand road. The 
traveler of that road may or 
may not find this sign in try- 
ing to return to the main 
road. 

04. Geological Survey sign where 
road reaches old ^graded 
county road. A branch road 
coming in on this grade from 
the west is the cut-oft noted 
at 27.0. See appendix to this 
log (p. 34). Eoad goes south- 
east. 



55.2 Road forks. Either follow the old county graded road (left) or take a 
plain road leading a little more to the south and go by the old town 
site of San Felipe. The two roads unite about 4 miles away, and 
right-band branch is 0.3 mile longer. There is nothing to note on 
left-hand road. Log of right-hand road is given. 



San Felipe branch. 

57. 9 Concrete reservoir and well visible 0.1 mile southwest of road, but water 
not obtainable. Continue east on main road. 

58. 7 Old town site of San Felipe. No one living there in 1918. Several 
deserted houses. Well, where poor but drinkable water was obtain- 
able in 1918. Continue east, later swinging northeast on main road. 
Some trails lead south (right) along this part of road. 

59. 6 Cabin on south side of the road. The two roads unite. Route continues 
east over fairly good graded road. Reading on left-hand branch 59.3. 
Set gage to this and continue northeast. 



34 EOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

59.3 Go northeast from road junction. 

61. 5 Cross a large wash up which a branch road leads south, and turn nearly 

north on east bank of wash. , 

62. 2 Turn east. 
62. 3 Harper Well, on north side of road just west of point where road crosses 

a bridge over wash. Geological Survey sign. Fair water. Continue 

east. 
66. 5 Kane Spring. Poor but drinkable water at pipe leading out of large 

earthen reservoir. Branch road coming in from north is Coachella- 

Brawley road. (See p. 18.) Geological survey sign. Continue east, 

uphill. 

66. 6 Narrow pavement begins. Read big red-letter sign giving road rules. 

Turnouts about every quarter mile. 
73. 6 End of pavement. Cross bridge over irrigation ditch and turn southeast 

along ditch. Water in emergency. 
74. 5 Auto Club sign. Go straight east, away from ditch. 

76. 4 Go 100 feet south and continue east over good dirt road. Branch roads 

every half mile or mile serve neighboring ranches but will not be 

mentioned unless important. Road is adequately signed all the way 

to Brawley. 
79.0 Good branch road north said to be short cut to Calipatria and Niland. 

Goodrich and Auto Club signs. Continue east. 
80.0 Crossroads. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn south (right). 

80. 5 Auto Club sign. Branch road continues south. Turn east. 
80. 8 Cross track of branch line of Inter-California Railway. 

81. Auto Club sign. Turn south ( right ) . 

81. 5 WestmorelandL Auto Club signs. Corner by store and post office. 

AVater, gasoline, and provisions. Turn east. Branch roads go south 

and west. 
84. Crossroads. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Highway turns south. 

89.0 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn east (left) down hill. 

89. 1 Bridge over New River. 

89.5 Palm-lined street (Main Street) leads into Brawley. 

90. 5 Paved street. Auto Club signs. Continue east to depot. Road south 

(right) around triangular court leads to Imperial and El Centro. 
90.8 Brawley. Railway crossing at station. ^ 

WAKNER TO BEAWLET BY WAY OF CUT-OFF OK COUNTY SCAB. 

At the Geological Survey sign at the mouth of The Narrows (27.0) this road 
leads to the right, down the bed of San Felipe Creek. Only the last 2.3 miles 
of this road was traveled by the writer, but the approximate route is known 
and shown on the map. The road was reported by numerous reliable persons 
as being in very bad condition in 1918, but it may of course be repaired and 
become more traveled at any time. One should remember in starting over this 
road that the nearest water is 22 to 25 miles away. However, the total 
distance is shortened by about 10 miles on this road. The information available 
may be summarized as follows : 

0. Turn right and follow down the dry creek bed at The Narrows (27.0). 
2. At about this distance turn to the right, out of the creek bed, and ascend 
a grade going eastward. The road is probably plainly visible. 



SALTOK SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 35 

8. Reach summit of a divide and go east, down a long grade that is known 

to be very sandy. 
13. At about this point is a graded highway, badly worn and washed out. 

This is the county road built by Imperial County to the San Diego 

County line. 
15.7 (Approximate distance.) A dim road goes south to Hanna Well (see p. 

80), in a pass in the mountains. Continue east. 
18. At about this distance the road reaches the road from Borego at the 

Geological Survey sign (54.7). Use the main log from this point 

east (p. 33). 

BRAWLEY TO WAKNER (91 MILES). 

0.0 Brawley. Railway crossing at station. Go west on Main Street. 

0.3 Auto Club signs. Road south (left) around triangular court leads to 

Imperial and El Centre. Continue west. 
1. 6 Bridge over New River. 
1. 8 Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn north (right). The region for next 

15 miles is well settled, and many branch roads every half mile or 

mile serve neighboring ranches. Only the important ones will be 

mentioned. Road is adequately posted. 
6.8 Crossroads. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Highway turns west (left). 
9. 3 Westmoreland. Corner by store and post office. Water, gasoline, and 

provisions. Last supply station for 80 miles. 
9.8 Auto Club sign. Turn west (left). 

10. Cross track of branch line of Inter-California Railway. 
10.3 Auto Club sign. Turn north. 

10. 8 Crossroads. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Turn west. 

11. 8 Goodrich and Auto Club signs. Good branch road north said to go to 

Calipatria and Niland. Continue west. 
14. 4 Go 100 feet north and continue west. 
16. 3 Auto Club sign. Turn northwest along irrigation ditch. 
17. 2 Turn west across ditch and start on narrow concrete road. Read big 

red-letter signboard giving traffic rules. Turnouts provided about 

every quarter mile. 

24. 2 End of paved road. -< 

24. 3 Kane Spring. Geological Survey sign. Road forks beside reservoir. 

The road northwest goes to Mecca, Coachella, and Los Angeles. (See 
p. 20.) Take left-hand road leading southwest for Warner. Water 
at pipe out of reservoir is poor but drinkable. For several miles the 
road follows a graded bed made when a county road was contemplated 
and partly built. 

28. 5 Cross wooden bridge over large wash. Just north of the road is Harper 

Well. Fair water. Geological Survey sign. 

28. 6 Road turns nearly south. 

29.3 Turn west across large wash. A branch road leads south (left), up 
this wash. Go straight ahead. 

31.5 Road forks. The graded road lies a little north of a branch that leads 
through the old town of San Felipe (abandoned 1918). The two 
roads unite about 4 miles away. As there is nothing to note on the 
graded road (right) a log of the left-hand road only is given. The 
right-hand road is 0.3 mile shorter. 



36 



EOUTES TO DESERT "WATERING PLACES, 



Left-hand road, iy way of San Felipe. 

31. 5 Take left fork. A cabin stands south of the road near this point. 

32. 4 Pass through old town site of San Felipe. Several unoccupied houses 

mark the place. There is a well at which poor water was obtainable 

in 1918. Continue west. 
33. 2 A concrete reservoir and a well are visible south of the road 0.1 mile 

away, but water is not obtainable. Continue northwest on plain road. 
35. 6 Continue northwest from fork. 
35. 9 Return to graded road. Set gage to 35.6 to get distance on the graded 

road, 
36. 1 Geological Survey sign marks road fork. Graded road to left is a cut-off 

to Warner that was very bad in 1918. See appendix to this log (p. 

38). Take right-hand road for Borego Valley. 
37.0 A dim branch road turns northeast (right), away from main road. In 

1918 a wooden sign pointing to right-hand fork said : " Borego Valley 

18 miles ; water 8 miles at Barrel Spring." This road is very bad, 

however; almost impassable for automobiles. The other road is far 

from good. Optional logs are given. 



Left-hand road. 

37.0 Continue northwest (left) across 
broken country with sandy 
washes at places hard to cross. 

44.0 Cross a small playa. At north 
end of playa the tracks diverge 
and scatter over a silt-floored 
wash covered with thin drifts 
of sand, at places very difficult 
to cross. There is almost no 
sign of a road at places. Con- 
tinue northwest, keeping at a 
distance of about half a mile 
from the base of a long low 
mountain which rises to two 
peaks on the west. The drift 
sand is very bad nearer the 
mountains. 

49. At about this point the tracks of 
the right fork unite and a 
fairly plain trail leads north- 
west up the wash. However, 
it may not be possible to 
identify this junction. 

51. The road climbs a little bank 
onto a terrace north of the 
wash. A Geological Survey 
sign marking this spot should 
be found easily. 



Right-hand road, by way of San Felipe 
Wash. 

37. Take right-hand fork and follow 
tracks into San Felipe Wash 
about a mile away. Then con- 
tinue up wash, which is very 
sandy. 

44. At about this point in the wash 
a board sign placed on a white 
post points north to Barrel 
Spring, half a mile away. 
The road, however, is probably 
too sandy for automobiles. 
Water at Barrel Spring is 
very undesirable except in 
case of emergency. Continue 
west, up the wash, following 
tracks. 

50. At about this point the road 
unites with the scattered 
tracks of the left fork and both 
take a plain course northward 
up the wash. However, it will ^ 
probably be impossible to 
identify this junction. 

52.0 (Approximate distance.) The 
road climbs a little bank onto 
a terrace north of the wash. 
A Geological Survey sign 
marking the spot should be 
found easily. Set gage to 51.0 
if this is noted and follow 
plain road west. 



SALTON SEA KEGIOIT, CALIFOENIA. 37 

51.0 Readings corrected to Geological Survey sign. Continue west on plain 
road. 

53. 2 Ignore a number of dim tracks leading to the left to a cabin visible on a 

hiU south of the wash. The cabin is at the original Borego Spring, 
and there is water there, but the road is little used. 

54. The road splits around a clump of bushes inclosed by a wire fence. In 

the corral is a cattle trough, and in the center of the bushes is a barrel 
sunk in the earth in which good water is obtainable. A Geological 
Survey sign stands on a prominent point 200 feet north. Continue 
west, the roads uniting around the corral. Next mile is sandy. 

56.9 The road intersects a road running north and south. This is on a 
grassy plain in the center of Borego Valley. A Geological Survey sign 
stands at the fork. Turn south to reach Warner. The road north 
leads to houses not far away which were occupied in 1918. 

57. 2 House just west of road. Water at flowing artesian well in front yard. 
Continue south. 

58.0 Pass dim road leading east, and continue south (right). 

58. 7 Small cabin on east side of road. Continue south over a high divide. 

63.8 Turning gradually west enter The Narrows, a pass about 300 feet wide 
with walls 100 to 200 feet high. A Geological Survey sign stands at the 
entrance. The county road mentioned at 36.1 is supposed to enter here 
from the east, but no signs of it were visible in 1918. See appendix 
to this log (p. 38). Continue west, up the canyon. 

64. 8 At about this point the road climbs out of the sandy wash onto a ter- 

race to the south. The Narrows is passed and a considerable little 
vaUey exists here. 

68.2 The road turns north, crossing the very sandy wash again. One may have 

difficulty here. Continue west, up a very narrow valley which grows 
more and more like a canyon. 
69. 4 Yaqui Well. Geological Survey sign. There is usually some poor but 
drinkable water in a little hole 100 feet north of the road. 

76. 9 Stuart Spring, or Sumac Spring. Good water at trough 100 feet 

north of road. Geological Survey sign. The road continues up Grape- 
vine Canyon. 

78.3 Grapevine Spring. A cabin stands on the left of the road in a little 

valley just beyond a point where the road bends sharply to the right 
up a hill. Water may be had in the canyon above the house. 

78. 8 Grapevine Spring again. The water rises in the canyon about 150 feet 

south of the road under some willows. 

78.9 A branch road leads east (right) to a cabin half a mile away. It is 

passable, and water is obtainble but will hardly be needed. Continue 
up canyon (left). 

79. 1 Another branch trail leads to cabin mentioned. Continue on plain road 

up canyon. 

79.3 A faint trail leads east (right). Continue up canyon. Steep grades are 

encountered here. 
80. 6 Summit of divide. Go west, down gently sloping valley. 

82. 4 A branch road, usually well traveled, comes in on east from Monte- 

zuma. Continue west. There is px-obably a board sign at this place. 

82. 6 Pass through a gate into Warner ranch. Continue west on road. 

82.7 A branch road leads north (right) to a mine visible a mile away. Con- 
tinue west. 

84. 9 On top of a little granite hill is a Geological Survey sign. A road comes 
in on the southeast from Julian and San Felipe Valley. (See p. 38.) 



38 ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

Turn nearly north, following main road. Some changes have been 
made recently, and the log may not be entirely correct. 

87.9 A branch road goes east (left). Continue north. 

89. Cross the Canada Verde, a little stream, and go west, over a high hill. 

90. 8 Warner post office. Water, gasoline, supplies, and hotel. Good moun- 
tain roads connect with all southern California coast points. 
BRAWLEY TO WARNER BY WAY OF CUT-OFF OR COUNTY ROAD. 

At the Geological Survey sign, 36.1 miles from Brawley, this road is noted as 
going to the left. Only the first 2.3 miles of this road was traveled by the 
writer, but the approximate route is known and shown on the map. The road 
was reported by numerous reliable persons as being practically impassable in 
1918, but may of course be repaired or become more traveled at any time, as 
it is approximately 10 miles shorter than the route to Warner through Borego 
Valley. One should remember in starting on this road that the nearest water 
is at Yaqui Well, 24 miles away. The information available about this road 
may be summed up as follows: 

0. Go west from Geological Survey sign (36.1) where branch road leads 

northwest to Borego. 
2. 3 A rather dim branch road leads south (left), presumably going to Hanna 
Well, in a pass in the mountains on the south. Continue west on the 
old county grade, which had been badly washed out by floods. 
5. At about this point the county grade ends, as the road was improved only 
as far as the line between Imperial and San Diego counties. Continue 
west, up a long grade that is known to be very sandy. 
10. At about this point the summit of the grade is reached and the road goes 

west, down a slope toward San Felipe Creek. 
16. At approximately this distance the road enters the dry bed of San 

Felipe Creek and continues west. 
18. The road enters The Narrows at the Geological Survey sign mentioned at 
63.8. Use main log (p. 37) west from this point. 

WARNER-SAN' FELIPE VALLEY-JULIAN. 

A fair mountain road passable for all kinds of vehicles branches from the 
Warner-Bra wley road 5.9 miles from Warner at a fork marked by a Geological ' 
Survey signpost and goes south (right) through San Felipe Valley and San 
Felipe ranch. A short cut through San Felipe Valley leads on southeast to 
Mason Valley, Vallecito, and the Carrizo country, and the Julian road con- 
tinues south and west through Banner into Julian. 

JULIAN-VALLECITO-CARRIZO-EL CENTRO. 

JULIAN TO EL CENTRO (75 MILES). 
Note. — This road is seldom used as a direct route from Julian to El Centro 
because the longer mountain roads are better. It is important, however, as 
being the only way of access to Mason Valley, Vallecito, and Carrizo from the 
west or east. For the last 16. 8 miles the road follows the San Diego-Imperial 
Valley highway. 

0. Post office at Julian. Go east. 
0.2 Road forks. Auto Club and Goodrich signs. Right-hand road goes to 

Descanso, Jacumba, and El Centro. Take left-hand road for Vallecito 
and Carrizo. Follow main road east over divide. 

1. Summit of Peninsular Range. The road descends Banner grade, a hill over 

3 miles long, dropping 1,200 feet. Drive carefully, as road is very narrow. 



SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 



39 



4. 4 Bottom of grade. Turn north, across little creek. 

4. 8 Banner. Good water. A family living here usually serves meals and 

may keep gasoline for sale. 

5. Road forks. Left-hand road leads through San Felipe Valley, Blair Val- 

ley, and down a very sandy box canyon, i-ejoining right branch at 
Mason Valley. The right-hand road goes east across the mountains 
and down Rodriguez Canyon into Mason Valley. In 1917 travelers 
going east usually took the left-hand road, which is several miles 
longer, because a hill on the right-hand road was impassable for auto- 
mobiles. This was improved in 1918, however, and is said to be 
passable. Inquiry may be made at Banner concerning the roads. Op- 
tional logs are given. 



Left-hand road, by way of San Felipe 
Valley. 

5.0 Continue to left, passing down 
canyon along Banner Creek, 
which is crossed several times 
in next mile. Good water in 
creek, 

6. Pass through gate, boundary of 
San Felipe ranch. 

6. 5 Road forks. Left - hand road 
goes north to ranch house 
and to Warner. Take right- 
hand road leading northeast. 

8. 3 to 8. 8 Cross over low ridge 
which divides San Felipe Val- 
ley into upper and lower por- 
tions. 
10. 1 Branch road comes in on north 
from Warner ranch. Con- 
tinue east. 

10. 7 Pass out of San Felipe ranch, 

through gate. 

11. 2 Windmill on east side of road. 

Fair water. 

12. 1 Flouse on east side of road. 
Water. 

13. 5 Small playa on east side of road. 

16. 1 Cross over low ridge dividing 
San Felipe Valley from Blair 
Valley. Turn west across 
Blair Valley. 

IS. 6 Enter Box Canyon, a narrow 
and very sandy pass through 
mountains. 

20. Emerge from canyon into Ma- 
son Valley. 

20. 8 Join right-hand road at Geologi- 
cal Survey sign and proceed 
southeast, setting gage to 13.8. 



Right-hand road by way of Rodriguez 
Canyon, 

5. Turn to right, passing up a can- 
yon over steep hills. Follow 
best traveled road. Road has 
recently been changed consid- 
erably, leaving portions of the 
old road abandoned. 

7. 2 Near this point there is a 

spring on south side of the 
road; a mining cabin, on 
north side, usually unoc- 
cupied. To the north one 
looks down upon San Felipe 
Valley. 

8. 3 Summit of divide. The road 

turns southeast and starts 
down Rodriguez Canyon. 

13. Emerge into Mason Valley. 

13. 8 Road coming in from north is 
left-hand branch. Geological 
Survey sign. Proceed south- 
east. 



40 KOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

13. 8 Go southeast from signpost. 

14. 1 Ranch house on right ; well with windmill. Water. Pass through gate 

and continue southeast. Several trails turn off at places to homesteads, 
some of which were occupied in 1918. Continue on main road toward 
lower end of valley. 

17. Cross over ridge separating Mason Valley from Yallecito Valley. De- 
scend a very steep hill on the lower (east) side of this ridge. 

17. 5 Foot of hill. A branch road leads south (right) to a ranch 0.8 mile 
away. Continue to left. 

IS. 2 Another branch road leads southwest to ranch mentioned. Continue east. 

21..8 Old adobe house on north side of road, ruins of a stage station, called 
Vallecito. Geological Survey sign. Proceed east. 

21. 9 Pass water trough at Vallecito. Good water. Continue east, passing 
down dry bed of Vallecito Creek, which is very sandy at places. 

25.2 After having turned a little south, around the point of a mountain, a 

branch road leads south to Agua Caliente Springs, three-fourths mile 
away. Good water. There may be water at the trough 500 feet east. 
Turn left unless going to Agua Caliente. 

25.3 Water trough on south side of road. May or may not contain water. 

Geological Survey sign. Continue east, going down sandy wash after 
about a mile. 
28. 3 A branch trail leads down the main wasli to Carrizo but is rather bad. 
Try to keep well to the right (west) and follow a road that climbs 
out of the wash and' goes southeast near the base of the mountains. 
If one inadvertently continues down the big wash no harm will result, 
as it leads into the road above Carrizo, about 8 miles away. It is 
necessary to use this left-hand road to reach a place called Palm 
Sprmg. (See p. 82.) 

30.9 A branch road turns west to an abandoned cabin, about a mile beyond 

which is a place called The Canebrakes, ^^•here a stream of good 
water runs in a mountain canyon amongst a tangle of cane, etc. To 
follow main road continue straight (left). 

31. 2 Another branch road goes back northwest to cabin. Continue southeast. 

34. 2 At about this point the road swings east, down a sandy wash. At 3 or 4 
miles to the southwest a clump of green palms is plainly visible on the 
moimtain side. This is Mountain Palms Spring. Good water is 
found at the place, which is said to be approachable by wagon or 
automobile. 

37. 7 Geological Survey sign on north side of road. A big wash comes in 

. from the northwest, and stray tracks from that direction mark the 

branch road noted at 28.3. Continue east. There is very bad sand in 

the next IJ miles, and it may be necessary to deflate tires. ( See p. 10. ) 

39. 2 Carrizo. Geological Survey sign. An adobe house, occupied in 1918, 
stands on north side of road. Well, on south side, on bank of Carrizo 
Creek, which flows at the surface for about a mile. Water, either in 
well or in the creek, is drinkable. Continue east. 

40. A road turns to the southwest, going down to the bed of Carrizo Creek. 
Continue east, later following down dry, sandy floor of creek, several 
hundred feet wide. Old iron signposts, with two iron plates set at 
right angles, will be seen nearly every mile. They were once painted 
signs marking an old stage road but now serve only to assure the 
traveler that he is on the right track. 

^, Turn to the right an4 ascend a steep bill, out Qt Carriap Cre^fe, PrO' 
ceed southeast, 



SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 41 

50. Geological Survey sign. A branch road goes east (left) into Imperial. 

(See p. 43.) Continue southeast (right). 

51. 6 In this vicinity a number of tracks lead west to a marble quarry at 

the east end of Carrizo Mountain. Continue southeast, over plain 
road. 

55. 7 Cross a vpide and rather sandy wash. 

57.2 A branch road goes southeast, but main road turns nearly south (right). 
Either of these roads leads into Bl Centro, but the left-hand one 
crosses the sandy beach line a mile away. 

58.2 San Diego-El Centro highway. Geological Survey sign. Turn east on 
paved road. 

60. 2 Branch road noted at 57.2 joins highway from north. A branch road 
going south is remains of old highway to San Diego and affords ac- 
cess to Tuha Wells. (See p. 45.) Continue east. 

61. 5 Dixieland. Water, gasoline, and supplies. Continue east, through set- 
tled country. Branch roads turning off every mile or half mile will not 
be noted unless important. 

65. 7 Turn south 0.1 mile, then east across New River, then north 0.1 mile, 

then east again. This part not paved. When new bridge is com- 
plete this jog will not be made. 

66. 2 Start east on pavement after turn just described. 
66. 6 Turn northeast, through south edge of Seeley. 

67. 6 Turn east again, crossing railway. 

73. 8. Crossroads. Geological Survey sign. Road north goes to Imperial 

and Brawley. Turn south, on paved street. 
74. 1 Turn east on pavement, which Is main street of El Centro. 
75.0 El Centro. At railway station. 

EL CENTRO TO JULIAN (75 MILES). 

Note. — The road from El Centro to Julian follows the San Diego highway 
for 16.8 miles west of El Centro, and then turns northwest, passing up the 
valleys of Carrizo Creek and Vallecito Creek. It is seldom used as a direct 
road, the longer route by way of Jacumba, Buckman, and Descanso being pre- 
ferred because it is much better. This route is of importance, however, as a 
means of access to Carrizo, Vallecito, and Mason valleys from the west or east. 

0. Bl Centro. Railway station. Go west on Main Street, which is paved. 

0. 9 Following pavement, turn north. 

1. 2 Crossroads. Geological Survey sign. Road north goes to Imperial and 
Brawley. Turn west on paved road. Branch roads turn off every 
half mile or mile through settled country, but only the important ones 
will be mentioned. 

7.4 Cross railway and turn southwest through south edge of Seeley. 

8. 4 Turn straight west again. 

8. 8 Turn south 0. 1 mile, then west over New River, then north again to 
line of road from Seeley and continue west. This part is not paved. 
When the new bridge is completed this jog will not be made. 

9. 3 Pavement starts west, on west side of New River. 

13. 5 Dixieland, on north side of highway. Water. Last supply station until 
Julian is reached (61.5 miles). 

X4, 8 Branch road turns northwest, to Carrizo. Continues west to 16,8, as 
this road crosses old beach (very sandy). Another branch road turns 
south at this point. It Is the remains of a former highway t9 §fta 
Diego and R£egra§ m ^pproacli t9 YwMi (S§© p. 45,) ^ 



42 BOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

16. 8 Geological Survey sign. Turn north from liigliway on fair road. 
17. 8 Branch road noted at 14.8 comes in from southeast. 

19. 3 Cross a wide and rather sandy wash. Old iron signposts with two iron 

plates crossed at right angles and usually bearing no letters whatever 
are passed about every mile along road to Carrizo. They were once 
painted signs marking the old stage road, but now serve only to assure 
the traveler that he is going in the right direction. 

23.4 In this vicinity a number of wagon tracks turn west to a marble quarry 

at the east end of Carrizo Mountain. Ignore them and foUow the plain 

road. 
25. Geological Survey sign. A branch road comes in from the east, from 

Imperial. (See p. 44.) Continue northwest. 
28.8 Descend a steep hill into the bed of Carrizo Creek, which is a sandy flat 

one-quarter to one-half mile wide. Follow the plainest or easiest track 

west up this channel. It is very sandy at places. At about 32.0 or 

33.0 the road climbs out of the main wash upon a little terrace on the 

north side and continues west. 

35.0 A road turns to the left, going back to the bed of the creek. Continue 

west (right), bearing away from creek. Pass over a little clay ridge 
to a grassy plain about 1 mile wide. 

35.8 Carrizo. Geological Survey sign. Adobe house on north side of road, 
occupied in 1918. Water may be had at well on bank of creek 50 feet 
south or in bed of creek, which flows here for about a mile. Water is 
of fair quality. Continue west. Bad sand in the next mile. Deflate 
tires if necessary. (See p. 10.) 

37.8 Geological Survey sign on north side of road. A big wash comes from 
northwest, and tracks turn up this wash at places. It is possible to 
take this route and reach Vallecito, but the better road continues west, 
up a large sandy wash. 

40. 8 At about this point the road swings northwest over a slope covered with 
coarse sand and gravel, leaving the valley of Carrizo Creek. At 3 or 4 
miles southwest and several hundred feet up on the mountain side a 
clump of green palms is plainly visible. This is Mountain Palms 
Spring. There is good water there, and it is said to be approachable 
by wagon or automobile. 

43.8 Branch road turns west (left) to an abandoned cabin about a mile away. 
Continue straight (right). 

44. 1 Another branch road turns west to cabin, about a mile west of which is 

the Canebrakes, a narrow moimtain canyon in which there is a con- 
siderable stream of good water and a dense growth of cane. To fol- 
low main road continue straight (right). 
46. 7 A branch trail comes from the southeast at a point where the road de- 
scends into a sandy wash. This comes up the wash noted at 37.3. 
Continue northwest, following tracks up sandy wash. 

49. 7 Geological Survey sign. Water trough on south side of road. It may or 

may not contain water. Good water is obtainable at Agna Caliente 
Springs, three-fourths mile southwest. 

49.8 A branch road goes south to Agua Caliente Springs. To follow main 

road turn north (right) and go around point of mountain, following up 
sandy bed of Vallecito Creek. Use plainest tracks. 

53. 1 Vallecito water trough. Good water. Turn north about 200 feet, then 

west, following road. 

53.2 Old adobe stage station of Vallecito on north side of road. Geological 

Survey sign. Continue west. 



SALTON SEA KEGION, CALIFORNIA. 43 

• 56. 8 Branch road leads southwest to Campbell ranch, 0.8 mile away. Con- 
tinue straight (right). 

57. 5 A road leads south to Campbell ranch. Main road turns north, climbing 

very steep hill over ridge separating Vallecito Valley from Mason 
Valley. This is a very hard climb. 
57. 8 Top of hill. Go down on other side into Mason Valley and continue 
west over plainest road. A number of trails turn off and several roads 
lead west, but by keeping the best road through the center of the nar- 
row valley the traveler should have no trouble. The road may be closed 
at places by gates. Several homesteaders lived in the valley in 1918. 

59. 2 Road forks. Either road leads out of valley, but right-hand branch is 

shorter and better. 

60. 9 Ranch, on left side of road. Windmill. Water. Gate across road in 

1918. Continue northwest. 
61.2 Road forks. Geological Survey sign. Take left-hand road to Julian. 
Right-hand road comes from San Felipe Valley but goes up a sandy 
canyon that is impassable for automobiles going out of Mason Valley, 
although passable in opposite direction. The road log from here to 
Julian is only approximately correct. In general the road passes 
northwest up a narrow mountain gorge called Rodriguez Canyon. 

66. 7 Summit of divide. The road bends north, then west around a hill. The 

valley plainly visible to the north is San Felipe Valley. Follow the 
main traveled road, which has been changed at several places recently, 
leaving portions of the former road abandoned. 

67. 8 Near this point there is a spring on the south side of the road, and a 

miners' camp, usually unoccupied on the north side. The road passes 
down some very steep grades. 

70.0 A branch road comes in on east from San Felipe Valley. Go south- 
west (left). 

70. 2 Banner. Good water. A family living there usually serves meals and 
may keep gasoline. Continue south on main road. 

70. 6 The road crosses a small creek and turns sharply northwest, up the 

Banner grade, which is a steady climb, rising 1,200 feet in 3 miles. 

Drive carefully, as the road is very narrow. 
74. Summit of Peninsular Range. Follow main road west into Julian. 
75. Julian post office. Water. Hotels and garages. Good roads lead to 

San Diego, Los Angeles, and nearly all points south or west. 

CARRIZO-IMPERIAL. 
CARRIZO TO IMPERIAL (33 MILES). 

Note. — This log covers a road that branches from the Julian-El Centro 
route (see p. 38) at a point 11 miles east of Carrizo and goes nearly due east 
into the town of Imperial. 

0.0 Carrizo. Water in well on creek bank south of road or in creek bed, 
poor but drinkable. Geological Survey sign on north side of road. 
Start east at house of C. A. Strabley. 

0. 8 Branch road goes southwest toward bed of creek. Continue east, getting 
down into dry bed of Carrizo Creek,- a mile or two east. This is a 
flat wash, several hundred feet wide. TBe road is sandy at places. 

6. 8 Turn to right, ascending a steep hill out of Carrizo Creek, and go south- 
east over broken country. 
157138°— 20 4 



44 ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

10. 8 Road forks. Geological Survey sign. Right-hand road leads to Bl 
Centre. (See p. 38.) Turn- east on left-hand road for Imperial. This 
road leads over a flat, barren plain and is marked at places by large 
white posts, usually with no sign whatever on them. It is not a bad 
road until the old beach is crossed. 

19. 6 At about this point the road crosses the old beach, and traveler may have 
trouble with sand. The sandy spots cover nearly a mile here. Farther 
on the road passes cleared land that was being made ready for irriga- 
tion in 1918. 

20. 7 Goodrich sign on north side of road. Continue east. 

23. 3 Goodrich sign. Continue east. Several houses not far away. 

23. 8 West side main canal of Imperial Irrigation District. Goodrich sign 

just west of this canal, which runs northeast. Cross canal and 
turn due south beside small irrigation ditch. A branch road goes 
southwest, along the east side of the canal, to Dixieland. 

24. 5 Goodrich sign. Turn east across irrigation ditch. A branch road goes 
west to Dixieland. The main road for the next 2 miles runs near the 
north bank of a deep erosion channel known as Salt Creek, or Salt 
Slough, which may contain a little water. 

25.2 A branch road goes south across Salt Creek and turns back west. It 
is said to afford a way of reaching the San Diego-El Centro highway. 
Continue east. 

25.8 Goodrich sign. A branch road turns north. Continue east. 

26. 6 Sharp crook in the road, which descends the west bank of the New River 
channel. 

26. 8 Bridge across New River. Continue east. 

27. 3 Crossroads. Goodrich and Auto Club signs. Road south intersects San' 
Diego-El Centro highway. For Imperial continue east through well- 
settled country. There are crossroads every mile or less, but the main 
road leads due east to Main Street, Imperial. 

33. 3 Imperial. Big sign in center of street crossing, about one-fourth mile 
west of railway station. The paved cross street leads north to Braw- 
ley or south to El Centro. 

IMPERIAL TO CARRIZO (33 MILES). 

0. Imperial, at intersection with Brawley-El Centro road. Big sign in cen- 
ter of street crossing. Start west on Main Street. The first 6 miles 
is through a well-settled country, and branch roads turn oft every mile 
or less. Go straight west. The road is well marked by Auto Club and 
Goodrich signs. 

6. Goodrich and Auto Club signs mark the last good crossroads. It is pos- 

sible to go south to a junction with the El Centro-San Diego highway. 
Continue west for Carrizo. 

6. 5 New River. Cross the bridge. After a sharp, short crook in the road 

go nearly west along north bank of deep channel of Salt Creek, which 
may contain a little water. 

7. 5 Goodrich sign. A branch road leads north. Continue west. 

8. 1 Branch road goes south across Salt Creek and is said to connect with 

El Centro-San Diego highway. Continue west. 
8. 8 Goodrich sign. A branch road continues west to Dixieland. For Carrizo 

turn north (right) beside small irrigation ditch. 
9.5 West Side main canal of Imperial Irrigation District runs northeast. A 

road follows canal southwest to Dixieland, For Carrizo turn west ( left ) , 



SALTOIT SEA BEGIOK, CALIFORNIA. ^ 45 

crossing canal. On west side of canal is a Goodrich sign. For a short 
distance west the land was being prepared for irrigation in 1918, but 
beyond that the desert begins. 
10. Goodrich sign on north side of road. Continue west. 

12. 6 Goodrich sign on north side of road. Continue west. 

13. 5 At about this point the road crosses the old beach. Bad sand, con- 

tinuing bad in spots for nearly a mile, then fairly good road. A num- 
ber of white posts without any signs whatever will be seen along the 
road. 

22. 5 Geological Survey sign. Branch road coming in from southeast is 
El Centro- Julian route. (See p. 41.) Road leads northwest over a 
somewhat broken country. 

26. 3 Descend steep hill to flat dry floor of Carrizo Creek, which is several 
hundred feet wide. Follow the wash westward, using best road avail- 
able and finally climbing out on a little terrace north of the creek bed. 
Very sandy at places. 

32.5 A branch road turns southwest (left) toward the bed of the creek. Con- 
tinue west (right), coming upon a small grassy plain not far away. 

33. 3 Carrizo. House of C. A. Strabley, on north side of road. Geological 
Survey sign. Water at well or in bed of creek on south side of road, 
poor but drinkable. 

Note. — Persons wishing to continue to Vallecito, Mason Valley, or Julian 
from this point consult the El Centro to Julian log (p. 41). 

DIXIELAND TO YUHA AND COYOTE WELLS. 

On the San Diego-Imperial Valley highway, 1.3 miles west of Dixieland, an 
old macadam road turns south and takes a somewhat southwesterly course into 
Coyote Wells, 13.7 miles away, as measured on this road. The road is an 
abandoned portion of a former highway that was much used before the 
construction of the present concrete road. Part of it is surfaced and part 
dirt road, but most of it was fairly good in 1918 and easily passable for auto- 
mobiles, although seldom used by anyone. 

West of Dixieland 5.8 miles and east of Coyote Wells 7.9 miles, on the old 
road just described, a faint branch road turns south. It passes the old Tuha 
Well, drilled for oil, 1.7 miles from the turn, and continues southwest, toward 
the water hole known as Tuha Wells, for a mile or two more, finally disappear- 
ing in a maze of dim wagon tracks and becoming impassable for cars because 
of sand. It might be possible to reach the Tuha water hole by automobile, but 
it is hardly worth the effort. It can easily be reached by walking the last 
half mile. 

The "Tuha oil well" is an abandoned drill hole at which, there is some 
camp debris and a 14-inch well casing protruding above the ground. There 
was water at a depth of about 400 fetet in this hole. The Tuha water hole 
was once a place where teams watered frequently but is now entirely aban- 
doned. Seeps of bitter water in the surrounding arroyos are common, and 
some can be uncovered by digging with a stick or with the hands, but at 
present these are unimportant as watering places. 

MECCA-BLYTHE-EHIIENBERG (MAIN ROUTE). 
MECCA TO BLYTHE (96 MILES). 

0.0 Mecca. Water trough one block south of post office. Start east. Big 
warning signboard established by Automobile Club of Southern Cali- 
fornia. Read and heed. 



46 



ROUTES TO DESERT "WATERING PLACES. 



0. 9 Geological Survey and Auto Club signs. Road south goes to Dos Palmas, 
Niland, etc. (See p. 50.) 

3. 2 Pass Auto Club sign. 

3. 9 Turn northeast. Pass under electric transmission line. Road along 
electric line is property of Coachella Valley Ice & Electric Co. but is 
sometimes used as alternate route to Dos Palmas. (See p. 55.) 

6. Enter Shaver Canyon and follow through badlands. 

12. 1 Shaver Well, on north side of road in canyon. Auto Club sign^. Last 

dependable water supply for 75 miles. 
12. 6 Auto Club signs. Take right-hand road. Left-hand road goes to Cot- 
tonwood Spring. (See p. 68.) 

22. 2 Auto Club sign. Dim trail southeast is old road to Blythe. 
29.0 Auto Club sign. Dim trail goes southeast. 

30. 6 Auto Club sign. Trail crosses road leading southwest and northeast. 

On the northeast (left) it goes to abandoned cattle camp half a mile 

away. 
30. 9 Trail leads north to the cattle camp. 
32.6 Dim trail to southeast (right) probably goes to cattle trough in center 

of dry lake. 

34. 3 Geological Survey sign. Pipe line crossing road comes from small spring 

in Eagle Mountains to the nortli and goes to cattle trough in dry lake 
1 mile away. In emergency water is usually obtainable at faucet by 
following pipe line half a mile southwest. 

35. 5 Auto Club sign. 

38.9 Road fork. Auto Club sign. Left-hand road is old road to Blythe by 
way of Gruendike Well. Right-hand road does not pass Gruendike. 
Old road is a little longer but more traveled on account of water being 
obtainable. Mileage by way of Gruendike is adopted, but optional log 
is given. 



Road 

Mine 



Right-hand route. 

38.9 Start east. 

41. 3 Geological Survey sign. 

south goes to Granite 

Well. (See p. 79.) 
48. 9 Geological Survey sign. Trail 

north to Gruendike Well very 

bad for automobiles. 
51. 9 Road forks join. Set gage to 

53.2 to get mileage by way of 

Gruendike. 



Left-hand route. 

38. 9 Start northeast. 

41. 3 Auto Club sign. Take right- 
hand road. The trail to left 
goes to Boulder Well. (See 
p. 50.) 

46. 7 Cabin one-fourth mile south, 

usually unoccupied. No water. 
49. 6 Keep left to house and well. 

49. 8 Gate at house by Gruendike 

Well. Auto Club signs. 
Water at faucet north of 
house. 

53. 2 Road forks join. Auto Club sign. Go southeast frOm forks. 

58. Geological Survey sign. Road west goes to Corn Spring. ( See p. 49. ) 

61. 1 Auto Club sign. Road to left goes to McCoy Spring. ( See p. 49. ) Very 

sandy. Trail west is said to go to Corn Spring. 
66. 2 Left fork is short cut-off. Continue straight on right fork. 

66.3 Auto Club sign. Turn left. Road southeast to Wiley Well (see p. 49) 

is probably very bad. 
66. 5 Geological Survey and Auto Club signs. Either road equal distance to 
Blythe, but left-hand road passes wells and right-hand road does not. 
Optional logs. 



SALTOK SEA KEGIOlSr, CALIFORNIA. 



47 



Left-hand route. 

66. 5 Keep to left. 

70. 6 Hopkins Well, on south side 
of road. Iron pump. 

74. 2 Ford Well. Windmill and cat- 
tle camp. 

75. 2 Geological Survey and Auto 
Club signs. Forks join. Go 
■-east. 



Right-hand route. 

66. 5 Turn to right. 
70. 7 Auto Club sign. Road north to 
Hopkins Well, one-half mile. 

73. 9 Trail north goes to Ford Well, 

1 mile. Keep east. 

74. 6 Go northeast. 

7.5. 2 Geological Survey and Auto Club 
signs. Forks join. Go east. 



76. 2 Road crosses sand dune ridge. ]\Iay have trouble here. 
77.0 Auto Club sign. 

82. 8 Auto Club sign. 

83. 3 Auto Club sign. 

84.6 Road skirts point of McCoy Mountains. 

86. 6 Patterson ranch. Auto Club sign. Good water, 

91. 5 Auto Club sign. Roads branch. Route optional. One goes south one- 
half mile and east 2 miles ; the other east 2 miles and south one-half 
mile. Former usually preferred. This brings reading to 94.0. 

94. Crossroads at west edge of Blythe. Geological Survey and Auto Club 
signs. Road south goes to Imperial Valley and Yuma. ( See pp. 58-61. ) 
Road north goes to Blythe Junction. (See p. 63.) Road east goes to 
Blythe and Ehrenberg. 

94. 5 Blythe post office. Water. Hotels, garages, and supphes. 

BLYTHE TO EHRENBEKG (4 MILES). 

0. Blythe post office. Go east. 

2. 5 Road leads northeast, then southeast over low swamp through thick 

jungle. 
4. 2 Ehrenberg Ferry over Colorado River. 



EHRENBERG TO BLYTHE (4 MILES). 

0. Ehrenberg. At west bank of Colorado River. 

1. 7 Come out of lowland thicket to straight west road. 
4. 2 Blythe post office. 

BLYTHE TO MECCA (95 MILIeS). 

0. Blythe post office. Go west. 

0. 5 Geological Survey and Auto Club signs. Read big warning board. 
Road north goes to Blythe Junction. (Seep. 63.) Road south goes to 
Yuma and Imperial Valley. (See pp. 58-61.) Road west goes to 
Mecca. In going to Mecca one may also go one-half mile north and 
then turn west. Log is for road going west. 

2. 5 Auto Club signs. Turn north. 
3.0 Auto Club signs. Turn west. 

7. 9 Patterson ranch. Auto Club sign, 
of water for 75 miles. 
9 Road skirts tip of McCoy Mountains. 
2 Auto Club sign. 
7 Auto Club sign. 



9 
11, 
11 



Good wafer. Last reliable supply 



17. 5 Auto Club sign. 



48 



ROUTES TO DESERT "WATERING PLACES. 



18. 3 Road crosses sand-dune ridge. May have trouble here. 

19. 3 Geological Survey and Auto Club signs. Road forks. Both roads lead to 
Mecca, equal distance, but only right-hand road passes water. Op- 
tional logs given. 



Right-haivd road. 



20. 



, 3 Ford Well. Windmill and cat- 
tle camp. 

23. 9 Hopkins Well. Iron pump. 

28. Geological Survey and Auto Club 
signs. Roads cross. 



Left-hand road. 

19.9 Turn west. 

20. 6 Trail north to Ford Well, 1 

mile. Keep west. 
23. 8 Auto Club sign. Trail north to 

Hopkins Well, one-half mile. 
28. Geological Survey and Auto Club 

signs. Roads cross. 

28.0 At Geological Survey sign. Right-hand road, leading west, is short cut- 
off, usually sandy. Take left-hand road. 

28.2 Auto Club sign. Turn northwest. Road southeast to Wiley Well is 

probably very bad. (See p. 49.) 

28. 3 Cut-off comes in from east. Keep straight ahead. 

33. 4 Auto Club sign. Trail crosses road. Northeast it leads to McCoy Spring. 

(See p. 49.) Southwest it leads to Corn Spring, but a better road to 
Corn Spring turns off farther on. Keep straight ahead. 

36.5 Geological Survey sign. Road west goes to Corn Spring. (See p. 49.) 

Keep straight road. 
41. 3 Road forks. Auto Club signs. Either way to Mecca but right-hand road 
passes water ; left does not. Right-hand mileage by way of Gruendike 
Well adopted but optional logs given. 



Left-hand road, 

41. 3 Go west. 

44. 3 Geological Survey sign. Trail 

north to Gruendike Well is 

very sandy. Keep west. 
51.9 Geological Survey sign. Road 

goes south to Granite Mine 

Well. (See p. 79.) 
54. 3 Auto Club sign. Roads join. 

Set to 55.6 for mileage by way 

of Gruendike Well. 



Right-hand road. 

41. 3 Go northwest. 

44. 5 Road to left is cut-off. Keep to 
right, toward house. 

44.7 Gate at Gruendike Well. 
Water at faucet behind 
house. Last water for 40 
miles. 

44. 9 Cut-off comes in from east. 

47. 8 Cabin one-fourth of a mile south 
of road. Usually unoccupied. 
No water. 

53. 2 Auto Club sign. Road north- 
east goes to Boulder Well. 
(See p. 50.) 

55. 6 Auto Club sign. Roads join. 

55. 6 Leaving forks the road goes west. 

59. Auto Club sign. 

60. 2 Geological Survey sign. Pipe line crossing road comes from small spring 

in Eagle Mountains and leads to cattle trough on dry lake, 1 mile away. 

In emergency water is usually obtainable at faucet by following pipe 

line one-half mile southwest. 
61. 9 Dim road on left. 
63. 6 Road north (right) goes to abandoned cattle camp, one-half mile away. 



SALTON SEA KEGION, CALIFORNIA. 49 

63. 9 Auto Club sign. Dim crossroad. To north tliis leads to cattle camp 

mentioned above. 
65. 5 Auto Club sign. Dim road on left, 
72. 3 Auto Club sign. Dim road on left. 

81. 9 Auto Club sign. Eoad on right goes to Cottonwood Spring. (See p. 68.) 

82. 4 Shaver Well, in canyon on north side of road. 

88. 5 Leave Shaver Canyon and reach point overlooking the Salton Sea. 

90. 6 Pass under electric transmission line and turn due west. Road along 

electric line is private property of Coachella Valley Ice & Electric Co. 

but is sometimes used as route south to Dos Palmas, etc. ( See p. 55. ) 
93.6 Geological Survey sigr>. Road south goes to Dos Palmas, Niland, etc. 

(See p. 50.) 
94. 5 Mecca. Water trough one block south of post office. 

MoCOY SPRING FROM MECCA-BLYTHE HIGHWAY. 

At 61 miles from Mecca on the main road to Blythe (see p. 45) is a dim cross- 
road, marked by Auto Club and county signposts, which crosses Chuckwalla 
Valley eastward to McCoy Spring (see p. 66) and westward to Corn Spring, 
It is little used on the west, as other roads are more convenient. On the east 
it crosses a wide waste of heavy sand and is said to be practically impassable 
for automobiles. It is passable for wagons. Its exact course and condition were 
not ascertained. Both springs are old and reliable watering places. 

WILEY WELL EKOM MECCA-BLYTHE HIGHWAY. 

From the Mecca-Blythe road, 66.3 miles from Mecca and 28.2 miles from 
Blythe (p. 45), a dim road goes southeast to Wiley Well. It has not been 
traveled much recently and is reported as probably impassable for automobiles. 
The country intervening is known to be very sandy. Good water can be ob- 
tained at Wiley Well with rope and bucket, which were provided in 1918. 

CORN SPRING FROM MECCA-BLYTHE HIGHWAY, 

At 58 miles east of Mecca and 36.5 miles west of Blythe, on the Mecca-Blythe 
road (p. 45), a branch road marked by a United States Geological Survey sign 
goes southwest to Corn Spring. The first 8 miles of the road is fair and easily 
passable, but beyond that the road enters a sandy canyon bed, which at times 
is very difficult for automobiles. The total distance to Corn Spring from the 
fork is about 10 miles. There is a little cienaga in the mountains at Com, 
Spring, where grass and vegetation and good water are found. A dim wagon 
road continues west through a pass in the Chuckwalla Mountains to Aztec WeU 
and Mill Camp. This road was said to be nearly impassable in 1918. 

Aztec Well is near the southeast corner of T. 6 S., R. 15 E., about 5 miles 
from Mill Camp and 3 miles from Corn Spring. It is about 15 feet deep, and 
the water stands about 10 feet below the surface. It was in good condition in 
1917. 

" MILL CAMP ROADS. 

Several dim trails traverse the country between the Orocopia and Chuckwalla 
mountains, usually passing Mill Camp, an abandoned (1918) mine in the west 
end of the Chuckwalla Mountains, probably in sec. 5, T, 7 S., R. 15 E. Some 
of these roads run south from the Hayfields ; others go north from the Dos 
Palmas-Chuckwalla Well country. They are probably passable for any vehicle, 



50 BOUTES TO DESERT WATEEING PLACES. 

as this country is rough but not sandy. Mill Camp is said to be a reliable 
watering place. 

BOULDER WELL FROM MECCA-BLYTHE HIGHWAY. 

At 41.3 miles east of Mecca on the road to Blythe by way of Gruendike Well 
(p. 45) a branch goes northeast to Boulder Well, 7 miles away, in sec. 31, 
T. 4 S., R. 16 E. The road is passable for automobiles and continues to raining 
properties in the eastern Eagle Mountains. Another road goes to Palen Well, 
in^sec. 35, T. 4 S., R. 16 E., and Packard Well but is probably impassable for 
automobiles. ' 

The Boulder Well was a fairly reliable watering place in 1918, but the Palen 
Well was reported to be dry. The Packard Well contained water in 1918 but 
was in a very filthy condition. 

MECCA-DOS PAIiMAS-CHUCKWALLA WELI^BLYTHE, 
MECCA TO BLYTHE (103 MILES). 

Note. — This road should not be confused with the ocean-to-ocean highway 
connecting Mecca and Blythe by way of Shaver Well and the Chuckwalla Val- 
ley. (See p. 45.) The road here described serves a large territory lying be- 
tween the Chuckwalla and Chocolate mountains but is little used except by 
local people and prospectors. It is extremely bad at places and is not recom- 
mended as a route for the through traveler. 

0. Mecca. Public fountain just north of railway station. Start east. 
0.9 Geological Survey sign. Turn south (right). Road leading east is high- 
way to Blythe. through Chuckwalla Valley. (See p. 45.) 

1.4 North side of date orchard on Government experimental farm. Turn 

east beside farm. 

1. 7 Corner of date farm. Turn southeast and go over sandy road across 

barren desert. 
2. 9 Southern Pacific Railroad. Turn east along north side of track. A 

little-used branch road comes in down the track. 
3. 1 Branch road crosses railway to south. Continue east. 
4. 7 Branch road crosses railway to south. Continue east. The road is very 

sandy at places and it may be necessary to deflate tires to 35 or even 

30 pounds pressure. 

8. 7 Leave railway, which turns southeast, and continue in more easterly 

direction. 

8. 8 Geological Survey sign. Branch road turns south along railway to 

Mortmar, a station 1 mile away. Take left-hand road leading to Dos 
Palmas. 

9. 5 Pass under power line. A branch road following this line is used by line- 

men, but its use as a public road is discouraged by the company. It is 
sometimes used as a route to Dos Palmas by going southeast from this 
fork about 4 miles and then turning away from power line. (See 
p. 55.) Main road continues east (left), climbing a steep sandy slope. 

12. In the next half mile the road crosses the old beach twice, and the sand 
is very bad. The road then cuts across a point of clay hills. 

13. 5 Cross old beach again. Very sandy. Continue east. 

15. 8 Dos Palmas. Poor water obtainable by following a path into the cen- 
ter of tule patch and dipping from the open pool. A branch road goes 
southwest to Salton. An old county signpost marks the fork. Con- 
tinue east. 



SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 51 

16. 6 Cabin on north side of road. Water. A dim trail turns soutli to an in- 
tersection with the power-line road. Continue east. 

17.2 County signpost. Branch road turns to right, leading to Frink Spring 
and Niland. (See p. 55.) Continue straight (left). 

23.2 County signpost, on north side of road. Road drops into wide sandy 
wash here. Many tracks lead up this wash, and there is no distinct 
road. Pick out firmest road and continue northeast up wash. 

25.4 Clemens Well, on south bank of wash in ravine. Good water. Geo- 
logical Survey sign in the wash 50 feet in front of the well should be 
visible from most parts of the wash. Continue up wash. 

26. 9 Cabin and ruins of old Canyon Spring stage station. A county sign- 
post stands near the place. The spring is 1 mile north, up the tributary 
canyon opposite the house. (See p. 78.) Road to spring very sandy 
and seldom used. Continue east, up wash, watching for main tracks, 
which gradually gather into a plain road on south side of wash. 

31.0 County signpost, on north side of road. A branch road goes north up 
the main wash 100 feet east of this sign but is usually dim. It leads 
to Mill Camp (p. 49). Main road turns nearly east, up a. branch 
wash, and farther on bends southeast, passing over a much dissected 
alluvial plain. 

34.9 Geological Survey sign. Branch road goes south to Tabaseca Tank, 1 
mile away. The road is rough, but passable for automobiles. Water 
might be had at the tank in emergency. (See p. 85.) Main road 
continues east. 

41. A dim branch road goes to the left, up a big wash. It rejoins the main 
road 0.8 mile farther on. Take right-hand road, passing to the south, 
over a low granite hill. 

41. 8 Branch road reenters in big sandy wash. Follow the plainest road south- 

east, crossing numerous sandy washes. 
44. 7 Geological Survey sign. Branch roads go north and south. Water 3J 
miles north (on left) at GuUiday Well. The road south goes to Ni- 
land but is very bad. Continue east( straight). 

45.9 Another branch road leads north (left) to GuUiday Well. Continue east. 
48.0 Summit of divide between drainage basins of Salton Sea and Colorado 

River. A very extensive vie\^ is obtainable from this point. Road 

continues east, then southeast, passing down a wide sandy wash. 
56.0 At about this point the road emerges from the wash and turns sharply 

north. 
56.8 County signpost 100 yards south of Ohuckwalla Well, which may be 

reached by walking north to opening in a little wash coming out of the 

hills to the north. Water of fair quality. Turn southeast for Blythe. 
57. 7 Dim trail turning south (right) is said to lead to Salvation Spring. It 

is impassable by automobile. Continue on main road (left), which 

leads east, down a rather sandy wash. 
64, to 67. Road in this stretch passes dovm a wash through a gap between 

the Chuckwalla Mountains and the Black Hills. Many little lava hills 

along the way. The road then emerges upon a hard, smooth, gravel 

plain and goes northeast. ' 

70.8 A plain but little-traveled road leads south to Salvation Spring and 

Niland. (See p. 57.) Continue northeast. 
72. Pass ruins of an old stone house, the Mule Springs stage station, on north 

side of road. A well once existed 100 feet north in the wash, but there 

is no water at the place now. 



52 KOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

77. 6 Faint trail leads east. It is a cut-off avoiding Wiley Well. Take main 

road (left). 
77.8 Wiley Well. Good water obtainable with rope and bucket, which were 

provided in 1918. County signpost at well. Go east on main road, 

which is sandy, passing over a high and much dissected alluvial 

plateau lying on the south flank of the Mule Mountains. 
81. Summit of pass through south end of Mule Mountains. Road drops down 

a canyon to east, very rough and rocky. 
82. Climb out of canyon and go east across small level plain. 
83. 8 Pass down a very sandy wash through some scattered granite hills, the 

south end of the Mule Mountains, emerging on sandy plain above the 

low Colorado River valley. 

85. Branch road goes northwest to mine visible on side of mountains. Con- 

tinue east. 

86. 6 Edge of terrace overlooking Palo Verde Valley. 

86. 9 Foot of terrace. County signpost. Go east over mesquite-covered low- 

land. 

87. 3 Irrigation ditch, go east on north side of it. 

88.8 Blythe-Glamis road. (See p. 58.) Geological Survey sign. Turn north 
(left) to Blythe. Water and supplies may be obtained at Rannells, 
0.2 mile south of this corner. 

91.4 Road turns northeast, across mesquite thicket. The soil is a soft silt 
that wears quickly into deep ruts, so that innumerable trails have been 
made which cross and recross in a bewildering manner. All of them 
eventually lead to Blythe. Use best and plainest tracks. Numerous 
signposts along the way. 

92. 8 Cross over fill in channel of bayou full of clear water. 

95. 6. Branch road leads north. Turn straight east on good road through 
cultivated land. 

96. 6 Neighbor School. Continue east. 

97.6 Auto Club sign. Turn north (left). 

98.6 Auto Club sign.. Turn east (right). 
100.6 Auto Club sign. Turn north (left). 

102. 1 Crossroads at west edge of Blythe. Geological Survey sign. Road west 
goes to Mecca (p. 47). Road north goes to Blythe Junction (p. 63). 
Turn east into Blythe. 
102. 6 Blythe. At post office, two blocks east of railway crossing. 

BLYTHE TO MECCA (103 MILES). 

Note. — This road should not be confused with the ocean-to-ocean highway 
connecting Blythe and Mecca by way of Chuckwalla Valley and Shaver Well. 
(See p. 47.) The road here described serves a large territory lying between 
Chuckwalla and Chocolate mountains but is little used except by local people 
and by prospectors. It is extremely bad at places and is not recommended as 
a route for through travelers. 

0. Blythe. Post office, two blocks east of railway crossing. Start west. 

0.5 Crossroads. Geological Survey sign. Road north goes to Blythe Junc- 
tion (p. 63). Road west is main road to Mecca (p. 47). Turn south 
for road to Mecca by way of Chuckwalla Well and Dos Palmas. 

2.0 Auto Club sign. Turn west (right). 

4.0 Auto Club sign. Turn south (left). ' 

5.0 Auto Club sign. Turn west (right). 



SALTON SEA KEGION, CALIFORNIA. 53 

6. Neighbor School. Continue west. 

7.0 Branch road leads north. Turn southwest across uncultivated desert, 
mostly mesquite thicket. The soil is soft silt which quickly wears into 
deep ruts, and hence roads wind in every direction in a bewildering 
way. Pick out the best and plainest. All lead to right place. Auto 
Club signs are numerous. 

9. 8 Cross over fill in channel of slough of fresh water. 

11. 2 Road turns straight south and passes by some cultivated land. 

13. 8 Geological Survey sign. The road south continues to Glamis and Yuma. 
Bannells, 0.2 mile south of this corner, is last supply station for 89 
miles. For Mecca turn to the right, crossing bridge and going west on 
north side of irrigation ditch. 

15.3 End of irrigation ditch. Continue west over mesquite-covered lowland. 
15. 7 County sign, on north side of road. Go west, uphill. Very sandy. 

16. Edge of terrace overlooking valley to the east. Continue west over sandy 

plain. 
17. 6 Branch road turns to right, leading to a mine visible on mountain side. 

Continue straight (left). 
18. 8 Pass up a very sandy wash through low granite hills at south end of 

Mule Mountains. Emerge on a small plain and continue west. 

20. 6 Descend into canyon and go west. Very rough and rocky. 

21. 6 Summit of pass in Mule Mountains. Go west, descending long alluvial 

slope, much dissected, to sandy plain. 
24. 6 Dim trail turns left. This is a cut-of£ avoiding Wiley Well. Take main 

road (right). 
24. 8 Wiley Well. Good water obtainable with rope and bucket, which were 

provided in 1918. County sign by well. Turn slightly south, then 

west across some sandy washes and then ascend long gravel slope going 

southwest. 
30. 6 Ruins of old stone house — Mule Springs stage station — on north side 

of road. A well once existed 100 feet north of this place, but no water 

is now obtainable. 

31. 8 A plain but little traveled road leads south to Salvation Spring and 

Niland. (See p. 57.) Continue southwest (right) on main road. 
39. to 42. Road in this stretch passes up a sandy wash, through a gap 
between the Chuckwalla Mountains and the Black Hills. Many little 
lava-capped hills along the way. 

44.9 Dim trail leading south (left) is said to go to Salvation Spring. It is 

impassable by automobile. Continue west. 
45. 8 County sign 100 yards south of Chuckwalla Well. Fair water may be 
had by walking north to opening of wash leading out of hills. Turn 
sharply south for Mecca. 

46. 6 Road curves westward into a wide sandy wash and follows it for several 

miles. 
54. 6 Summit of divide between drainage basins of Colorado River and Salton 
Sea. A very extensive view is obtainable here. Continue west over an 
alluvial plateau badly dissected by washes, many of which are sandy 
and difficult to cross. 

56.7 A dim branch road leads north (right). It is said to go to GuUlday 

Well 3^ miles north, but another road is available a mile farther on. 

57. 9 Geological Survey sign. A branch road leads north to Gulliday Well, 

3^ miles. It is passable and water could be had if needed. Another 



54 BOtTTES TO DESERT WATEEING PLACES. 

branch road leads south to Niland but is very bad. (See p. 26.) 

Continue west. 
60.8 A faint branch road continues west (right), down a sandy wash, and 

presumably rejoins the main road 0.8 mile west. Keep to the left, 

climbing out of wash and passing over a low granite hill. 
61. 6 Branch road rejoins main road. Continue west. 
67. 7 Geological Survey sign. A branch road, rough but passable, goes south 

to Tabaseca Tank, 1 mile away. Water in emergency. Continue 

west. 

71. 6 County sign on north side. Road enters wide sandy wash^and goes 

southwest. A branch road follows up this wash northeast to Mill 
Camp. (See p. 49.) Follow main road southwest. The tracks grad- 
ually spread out all over the width of the wash but any path that is 
good may be used. 

75. 7 Cabin and ruins of old Canyon Spring stage station, on south side of 
road. County sign. The spring is 1 mile north, up a branch canyon 
opposite the cabin, but is hard to reach and an unsatisfactory water- 
hole. Continue west. Good water at Clemens Well is only IJ miles 
away. 

77. 2 Clemens Well, on south side of wash. Good water. A Geological Sur- 
vey sign 50 feet in front of well should be visible from most parts of 
wash. Continue down wash, keeping near north wall. 

79. 4 County sign on north side. Road climbs out of wash. Continue west. 

85. 4 County sign. Branch road turn southeast to Frink Spring and Niland. 

(See p. 55.) Continue west. 

86. Cabin on north side of road. Water. A dim trail leads south to various 

roads going to Niland. Continue west. 
86. 8 Dos Palmas. County sign. Poor water is obtainable by following path 
through tules to pool. A branch road leads southwest (left) to 
Salton. Continue west (right) for Mecca. Occasionally persons go 
southwest on the Salton road to the power line (see p. 55) and turn 
north along power line to Mecca. 

89. Cross old beach. Deep sand may cause trouble. Deflate tires to 35 

pounds if necessary. After crossing the beach the road passes through 
clay hills and crosses beach twice more. It then descends a long, sandy 
slope to west. 

93. 1 Power line. A branch road following this line is used by linemen, but 

its use as a public road is discouraged by the company. Nevertheless, 
persons sometimes use it going south to Niland or north to Mecca. 
(See p. 55.) 

93. 8 Geological Survey sign about 0.1 mile east of Southern Pacific Rail- 
road. A branch road goes south along railway to Mortmere, a station 
1 mile away. Continue west to Mecca. 

93. 9 Reach railway and follow west along north side of track. Parts of the 
road are very sandy. 

97. 9 Branch road crosses railway to south. Continue west. 

99. 5 Branch road crosses railway to south. Continue west. 

99. 7 Turn northwest, away from railway. A dim road continues along rail- 

way into Mecca, but is little used. 
100. 9 Corner of date garden at Government experimental farm. Go west, along 

north side of farm. 
101. 2 Turn north, away from date farm. 



SALTON SEA REGION", CALIFORNIA. 55 

101.7 Main Mecca-Blythe road. (See p. 45.) Geological Survey sign. Turn 

west. 
102. 6 Mecca. Water fountain just north of railway station, 1 block south of 

post office. Water, gasoline, supplies, and hotel. 

MECCA TO NILAND, ON" EAST SIDE OF SALTON" SEA. 
GENEKAL OUTLINE. 

East of the Salton Sea a number of very bad roads go southeast to Dos 
Palmas, Frink Spring, Niland, and intermediate points along the Southern 
Pacific Railroad. Natural difficulties such as deep arroyos and bad sand, com- 
bined with little travel, are the worst features of the roads, and by all but a few 
local residents they are considered practically impassable for automobile. The 
writer has traveled no one route consecutively all the way, but parts of all of 
them. The combinations of cross trails used in endeavoring to find a passable 
way through this uninhabited area are a source of much perplexity to travelers 
unacquainted with the country. 

There is a legitimate desire on the part of the citizens at Mecca and Niland 
to have the road improved, and undoubtedly if it were easily passable It would 
be valuable to travelers going from Los Angeles to Yuma, as it is about 20 
miles shorter than the present road around the west side of the Salton Sea. ' 

The distance by various routes from Mecca to Niland is 40 to 45 miles. No 
supplies are obtainable between these points, but water can be had at any of 
the five or six stations along the Southern Pacific Kailroad and also at Dos 
Palmas and Prink Spring. The latter places, however, furnish very poor 
drinking water. 

There are three general routes available, which are described in turn. They 
are (1) the road along the railway, (2) the road along the power line, and (3) 
the road passing through Dos Palmas and Frink Spring. 

ROAD ALONG SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD. 

A road follows the Southern Pacific Railroad nearly if not quite all the 
way between Mecca and Niland. So far as known it is never used by automo- 
biles between Mortmar and Wister, but it is passable from Mecca to Mortmar. 
From Wister a very good road leads south and east along section lines to Niland. 
Automobilists from Niland are advised to use this road as far as Wister (9.3 
miles from Niland) and to cross the railway and turn east to the power 
line or to other roads at a point li miles northwest of Wister (10.7 miles from 
Niland). In 1917 there was no crossing provided at the railway, and it was 
difficult for automobiles to get over. 

ROAD ALONG POWER LINE. 

Along the electric transmission line of the Coachella Valley Ice & Electric 
Co., which runs from San Bernardino to Imperial Valley, there is a road used 
by linemen and company officials. This road is private property of the com- 
pany, which has posted signs discouraging its use by the public. However, it 
is used considerably by local residents and is easily followed. It crosses many 
deep gullies and is exceedingly rough but nevertheless is probably the safest of 
the possible roads. 

ROAD THROUGH DOS PALMAS AND PRINK SPRIITG. 

Two miles east of Dos Palmas, on the road from Mecca to Blythe by way of 
Dos Palmas, a road turns southeast (right) to Niland. The first 6 or 8 miles 



56. EOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

of this is across bad sand but could probably be traveled by any automobile 
which succeeded in getting to Dos Palmas. The distance from Dos Palmas to 
Frink Spring is about 12 miles and that from Frink Spring to Niland by way 
of Wister is 16 miles. This makes the total distance between Mecca and 
Niland 44 miles. By using the road southeast of Frink Spring to its junction 
with the power-line road, 8 miles away, and then following the power line, the 
distance into Niland is reduced to only 13 miles. This road follows an aban- 
doned railway grade for a long disance and is in places fairly good. 

NILAND TO GULLIDAY WELL. 

^ [Distances are approximate from Niland.] 

GENERAL OUTLINE. 

North and slightly east of Niland is a great, conspicuous embayment in the 
southern wall of the Chocolate Mountains, known as Iris Pass. This affords a 
natural roadway through the range and has occasionally been used by stages, 
freighters from mines to the north of Niland, and prospectors. The road is at 
present almost unused and is really no road at all, but a very bad, rough, 
sandy passage by which wagons and even automobiles occasionally enter the 
area to which it offers access. There are no habitations and no watering places 
along the way, and it is so little traveled that the dim tracks observed may 
be a year old and usually wander about in widely divergent directions. As 
an automobile road this is practically impassable, particularly going north, • 
which is a continuous ascent. Only an approximate log and general descrip- 
tion of the area can be given. 

NILAND TO CHOCOLATE MOUNTAINS (12.5 MILES). 

The road starts at the Geological Survey sign on the corner by the post office 
at Niland and goes straight north across the railway (0.1) at the station, 
turning to right for a little way at a road fork (0.2) where a branch road goes 
northwest to Frink Spring, Dos Palmas, and other places. The road here con- 
sidered goes north under a transmission line (0.5 approximate) to the Highline 
canal of the Imperial Irrigation District (1.5). Crossing a wooden bridge at 
the canal, a fairly plain trail goes northeast up a sandy wash over the unim- 
proved desert. Gradually the wash deepens until it is an arroyo, 200 to 300 
feet wide, with vertical walls cut in soft clay and sandstones and ramified by 
extensive tributary arroyos. 

At about 4.0 miles a number of tracks go east (right), up one of the tribu- 
tary arroyos, and are said to continue to a gap in the Chocolate Range known 
as Surveyor Pass, which is less prominent than Iris Pass, farther east. To 
reach Iris Pass continue (left) up the main arroyo, where guiding tracks will 
usually be seen, toward the big and unmistakable gap ahead. 

The road is rough, gravelly, and sandy; it climbs over little arroyos and 
gullies into others similar and more misleading; in short it is very bad, being 
scarcely a road at all, until finally the tracks gather together again into a fairly 
well defined trail at the south edge of the Chocolate Range (12.5, approximate). 

lEIS PASS. 

At its entrance Iris Pass is 2 or 3 miles wide, and the road is near the 
west wall. A wide sandy wash flanked on the west by steep mountains and 
bordered on the east by low hills that gradually rise into mountains, is fol- 



SALTON SEA KEGION, CALIFORNIA. 57 

lowed northward. At 15.5 miles, the pa.ss narrows to a canyon from 100 to 
300 feet wide, and beyond this point it increases in narrowness and steepness. 
The whole road through this part of the pass is very sandy. Automobile tires 
will probably have to be deflated in going up. The road finally ascends an 
exceedingly steep but firm hill and emerges on a plateau at the north side of 
the Chocolate Mountains (20.0), from which a magnificent view is obtainable. 

MECCA-BLYTHE ROAD CROSSING. 

From the north edge of the Chocolate Mountains the road is very good and 
descends a gentle slope northward over rolling gravelly hills until at about 
22.0 miles from Niland it reaches a crossroad that leads west to Dos Palmas 
and Mecca, east to Chuckwalla Well and Blythe. There is a Geological Sur- 
vey sign at the crossing. This gives the distance south to Niland as 25 miles, 
that distance not having been accurately knoAATi when the sign was established 
and an error in favor of greater length being preferred to the danger of 
giving too little. 

GULLIDAY WELL. 

The portion of the road from the crossing northvi^ard to Gulllday Well is 
little traveled except by prospectors interested in the Chuckwalla Mountains. 
It is about 3i miles from the Geological Survey sign to the well, and the road is 
rather stony and rough, the last half mile especially so. It is possible to ap- 
proach within about 100 feet of the well by automobile, and at this point the 
road ends beside a little arroyo near the base of the Chuckwalla Mountains. 

Gulllday Well is a shallow hole in granite beside this arroyo and contains 
good water at all times unless polluted by surface trash. The well is used 
chiefly by prospectors and miners in near-by territory. 

SURVEYORS PASS ROAD. 

The Surveyors Pass road is only a dim wagon trail that leaves the Niland- 
Gulliday Well road 4 miles north of Niland and goes nearly east, farther on 
turning northeast toward a noticeable pass in the Chocolate Range east of Iris 
Pass. The road was used about 1912 or 1913 by a party of land surveyors 
who camped somewhere in the pass and from whom local residents have at- 
tached the name given. The road is probably too bad for automobile travel 
and is said not to lead entirely through the mountains. It is of interest chiefly 
to prospectors. Springs or water holes are not certainly known to exist in 
the mountains but may possibly be found there. The road extends 16 or 18 
miles from Niland. 

NILAISTD-SALVATION" PASS-BLYTHE. 

About 8 miles east of Niland, on the road to Yuma, a number of trails turn 
off to the left toward the Chocolate Mountains. They unite and go through a 
break in the mountains known as Salvation Pass. The road then continues 
northeast to a junction with the road between Mecca and Blythe by way of Dos 
Palmas. This junction is 7 miles west of Wiley Well. The road was not trav- 
ersed, but its location as shown on this map is fairly accurate, especially in 
the mountains, having been taken from a recent township survey. The road is 
very bad and difficult to travel, by automobiles, being both rough and sandy. 
Travelers unacquainted with the country are not advised to attempt it. The 
only water along the road is at Salvation Spring or the Peg Leg Well, and 



68 EOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

these places are off the road and may be hard to find. . The road shortens the 
distance between Niland and Blythe very materially, and so there is some talk 
of improving it. At present it is seldom used. 

Salvation Spring is near the center of sec. 36, T. 10 S., R. 16 B., and is 
about a mile southeast of the main road in a side canyon. The Salvation 
Spring Pass follows a deep canyon that originates as a dry wash in an 
elevated plain east of the range and cuts directly across the main chain 
southwest. Usually tracks or a board sign or something else is visible, indicat- 
ing the turnout to Salvation Spring on the east. There is said to be only a 
small seep of water at the spring, and it may be necessary to dig a little in 
the sand of the wash to uncover It. Somewhere near the spring is a miner's 
cabin, occasionally occupied by prospectors, and trails connect the place with 
the Peg Leg mine (abandoned in 1918) and well, a mile or two away. 

In the eastern part of the Salvation Spring Pass through the Chocolate 
Mountains a trail turns southeast up a tributary arroyo to the Peg Leg Well 
and mine. The road was not traversed nor the well visited by the writer and 
information about it was obtained from local residents and from recently sur- 
veyed township plats. The mine is near the southwest corner of T. 10 S., R. 17 
E., a mile or two east of Salvation Spring, and about 2 miles from the Niland- 
Blythe road through the pass. It is not definitely known whether the well is at 
the mine or farther down the wash nearer the main road. It is described as 100 
feet deep, 60 feet to w^ater, and equipped with windlass and bucket. A board 
sign generally indicates the turnout. This mine should not be confused with the 
mythical mine of Peg Leg Smith. 

BLYTHE^GIiAMIS ROUTE TO YTJMA AND IMPERIAL VALLEY. 
BLYTHE TO GLAMIS (59 MILES). 

0. Blythe. Post office, two blocks east of railway crossing. Start west. 

0. 5 Crossroads. Geological Survey sign. Road north goes to Blythe Junc- 
tion (p. 63). Road west goes to Mecca (p. 47). Turn south for Glamis. 

2.0 Auto Club sign. Turn west (right). 

4.0 Auto Club sign. Turn south (left). 

5. Auto Club sign! Turn west (right). 

6. Neighbor School. Continue west. 

7. Branch road leads north. Turn southwest across uncultivated desert, 
mostly a mesquite thicket. The soil is soft silt which quickly wears 
into deep ruts, and the roads wind everywhere in a bewildering way. 
Pick out the best and plainest. All lead to right place. Auto Club 
signs are numerous. 

9. 8 Geological Survey sign. Cross over fill in slough of fresh water. 
11. 2 Road turns straight south and passes cultivated land. 
13. 8 Branch road crosses irrigation ditch and goes west to Wiley Well, Dos 
Palmas, etc. (See p. 52.) Continue south. 

14.0 Rannells. Store and post office (combined). Water and gasoline. Con- 

tinue south. The road at places passes through mesquite thickets. 
Numerous trails lead away, but main road is easily distinguished and 
well marked with signs. 

17. 1 Auto Club sign. Branch road goes east. Continue south. 

18. 5 Road emerges into open space and turns due south into Palo Verde. 
18.7 Palo Verde. Store and post office (combined). Water and gasoline. 

Continue south, 
is; 8 Palo Verde School. Turn west. 

19. 2 Auto Club sign. Branch road continues west. Turn south. 



SALTON SEA EEGION, CALIFORNIA. 59 

21. 8 Auto Club sign. Branch road goes east to Cibola Landing. 

22. 3 Ascend out of valley to terrace overlooking valley. 

23. 1 Road forks. Mileage is given over left-hand road. The straight road is 
0.4 mile shorter but crosses two bad hills. 

23. 8 Auto Club sign. Roads unite and continue south. 

26. Enter canyon and follow It south through pass in Palo Verde Mountains. 

27. 8 Summit of pass. Road continues south down another canyon. 

30. Emerge from canyon upon large gravel-strewn plain. The road from 
this point to Glamis is over hard gravel plain most of the way. 

30. 4 Auto Club sign. 

30. 9 Road forks. The two branches run parallel to each other, about half a 
mile apart, and reunite 5.3 miles away. There is nothing to note 
on right-hand (west) branch, so only log of left-hand (east) branch 
is given. This fork is in a large wash called the Arroyo Seco. Nu- 
merous other big washes cross the road in the next 5 miles but none 
are difficult to pass. 

34. 9 Auto Club sign. Plain road turning east leads to a manganese mine 

5 miles southeast. Continue south. 
36. 2 Auto Club sign. Branches noted at 30. 9 reunite. Continue south. 

37. 3 Smith Well. Water of fair quality obtainable by windlass. A mining 

camp was being started here in 1918, and a mill was being erected 
on the hillside east of road opposite well. Continue south. 

37. 4 Plain road leads west to Paymaster mine, 3 miles away. Continue south 

(left). 

41. 1 Road forks. Both roads lead to Glamis. Left-hand road probably 

preferable. Right-hand road leads over rolling hills and down a canyon 
pass, rejoining left-hand road 9.2 miles away (50.3 on right-hand 
road). Auto Club sign points to right-hand road for Glamis but need 
not be heeded. Log is for left-hand road. 

44.2 Geological Survey sign. Plain road going south (left) leads to Yuma 

. by way of Tumco. Persons going to Yuma on this road should turn to 
the left here and use the log of the Tumco cut-off (p. 61). Take right- 
hand (west) road for Glamis. 
47. 1 Dim trail leads south. Continue southwest. 
49. 3 Branch road noted at 41.1 rejoins. Go south. 

53. 3 Pass through group of low lava hills. 

58. 8 Auto Club sign. Branch road leads southeast to Yuma. Continue south- 
west for Glamis. 

58. 5 Glamis railway station. Water is obtainable from railway cistern. 

Charge of 5 cents a head for stock. Gasoline and meals can be had 
at store. 

GLAMIS TO BLYTHE (59 MILES). 

0. Glamis railway station. Start northeast on main road, away from rail- 
way. Road runs over hard gravel plain and is generally good for 
nearly 35 miles. 

0. 2 Road forks. Auto Club signs. Right-hand road turns east to Yuma. 
Continue northeast for Blythe. 

5. 2 Pass through a group of low lava hills. 

9.2 Road forks. West (left) branch goes up sandy canyon and over a 
rolling plateau and rejoins the east fork (at 18.4 measured on west 
road). Log is for east (right) branch, which is a mile shorter and is 
more traveled. 
157138°— 20 5 



60 KOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

11.4 Dim trail leads south. Continue northeast over rolling plain covered 
with low lava hills. 

14.3 Geological Survey sign. Branch road enters from south. This road 

comes from Yuma by way of Tumco mining camp. (See p. 61.) 

17.4 West branch noted at 9.2 rejoins. Go north. 

21. 1 Plain road leads west to Paymaster mine, 3 miles away. Continue north. 
21. 2 Smith Well. A mining camp was being established here in 1918, and a 

mill was being erected on the hillside east of the road, opposite the 
M-ell. Water of fair quality was obtainable by a windlass. Continue 
north. 

22.3 Road forks. The two branches run nearly parallel and about half a 
mile apart, rejoining 5.3 miles away. Distance equal. Only log of 
east (right) branch is given. Auto Club sign points to Ely the along 
east branch. 

23. 6 Auto Club sign. Plain road turning east leads to a manganese mine 5 
miles southeast. Main road continues north. Several large washes 
cross the road in the next few miles, but none are difficult to pass. 

27. 2 Enter Arroyo Seco, the largest wash of all. 

27. 6 West branch noted at 22.3 rejoins. Go north. 

28. 1 Auto Club sign. 

28. 5 Road enters winding canyon and follows it up northward, through pass 

in Palo Verde Mountains. 
SO. 7 Summit of pass. Road goes down another canyon, leading north. 

34. 7 Road forks. Both roads lead to Blythe. The left-hand road, going 

straight ahead, is 0.4 mile shorter but has two bad hills. Most 
travelers take right-hand road, which turns east. Log is for right- 
hand road. 

35. 4 Branch road noted at 34.7 rejoins. Continue north. 

36. 2 Descend from terrace into Palo Verde Valley, a low, flat plain along 

Colorado River. 

36. 7 Auto Club sign. Branch road goes east to Cibola Landing. Continue 

north. Numerous trails leave the main road in this region, which is 
largely a mesquite swamp, but the main road is easy to follow and 
well marked with signs. 

39.3 Auto Club sign. Branch road goes west. Turn east (right). 
39. 7 Palo Verde School. Turn north to town. 

39.8 Palo Verde. Store and post office (combined). Water and gasoline. 

Continue north for Blythe. 

40. Road turns sharply northeast through dense thicket of mesquite. Numer- 
ous trails turn to either side, but main road is plain and well marked 
with signs. , 

41. 4 Auto Club sign. Branch road goes southeast. Continue north. 

44. 5 Rannells. Store and post office (combined). Water and gasoline. 

Continue north for Blythe. 
44. 7 Geological Survey sign. Branch road that turns west across irrigation 
ditch leads to Wiley Well, Dos Palmas, etc. (See p. 52.) Continue 
north. 

47. 3 Road turns northeast across mesquite thicket. The soil is a soft silt that 

wears quickly into deep ruts, so that innumerable trails have been 
made which cross and recross in a bewildering manner. All of them 
eventually lead to Blythe. Use best and plainest tracks. Numerous 
signposts along the way. 

48. 7 Cross over fill in slough full of clear water. 



SALTON" SEA KEGION, CALIFORNIA. 61 

51. 5 Brancli road leads north. Turn straight east .over good road through 

cultivated land. 

52. 5 Neighbor School. Continue east. 
53.5 Auto Club sign. Turn north (left). 
54.5 Auto Club sign. Turn east (right). 
56.5 Auto Club sign. Turn north (left). 

58. Crossroads at west edge of Blythe. Geological Survey sign. Road west 
goes to Mecca (p. 47). Road north goes to Blythe Junction (p. 63). 
Turn east (right) into Blythe. 

58. 5 Blythe. Post office two blocks east of railway crossing. Water. 
Hotels, garages, and supplies. 

BLYTHE-YUMA ROUTE BY WAY OF TTTMCO. 

GENERAL STATEMENT. 

Most persons naaking the trip between Blythe and Yuma go by way of 
Glamis, using the Blythe-Glamis road (p. 58) and the Niland-Yuma road (p. 23). 
The road here given leaves the Blythe-Glamis road 44.2 miles from Blythe and 
joins the Niland-Yuma road 11 miles from Yuma, effecting a saving of about 
15 miles in the total distance as ordinarily traveled. This road is generally 
known as the Tumco road or the Tumco cut-off, because it passes near the 
deserted mining camp known as Tumco, formerly called Hedges. As it is one 
of the best desert roads found anywhere, it deserves a more general use than 
it has at present. 

BLYTHE TO YUMA (83 MILES). 

See page 58 for the road from Blythe to the Geological Survey sign, 44.2 
miles from Blythe and 7 miles south of the Smith Well, where the Tumco 
cut-off branches from the road to Glamis. 

44. 2 Take left-hand road. Proceed south down a wide wash in which iron- 
wood grows abundantly and finally emerge after about 6 miles on a 
smooth gravelly plain. There are few landmarks, but the road is ex- 
cellent. 

61. 2 A branch road leads north to a place on Colorado River known as 
Hoges Ferry. There was a board sign at the fork in 1918. Continue 
on the main road, which leads southeast. 

62. 7 The road crosses a wash in the foot of the mountains north of Ogilby. 

A branch road leads up the wash to the deserted city of Tumco, which 
is plainly seen about a half mile away. Continue southeast without 
passing through the town. Usually no one lives at the place, and 
there is no water there. 

63. 2 Some branch roads turn to the right, away from the mountains, and 

lead to Ogilby. There are innumerable tracks leading over the desert 
in the next 3 or 4 miles, but it should not be difficult to follow the 
main road southeast near the base of the mountains but not actually 
within them. The traveler need not fear getting lost, as it is impos- 
sible to go far to the left into the mountains, and all roads turning 
to the right (south or west) lead to Ogilby, dn the Sovithern Pacific 
Railroad, from which it is possible to go to Yuma. 
68. Plain road coming from the west from Ogilby. Auto Club sign at the 
fork. Continue nearly east toward Yuma. 



62 KOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

69. 7 A branch road leads southeast (right) to the railway. Take the left- 
hand road. 

71. 7 The road joins the Niland-Yuma road, which enters from the south and 
continues southeast. Geological Survey sign at the fork. 

74. 8 Descend into a sandy wash 50 feet or more in depth across the river 
terrace and follow it for about IJ miles, emerging on the lowland 
known as Yuma Valley. 

76.3 Turn east (left) along irrigation ditch. A branch road goes southwest. 

77.2 Turn south (right). 

77. 7 Touch railway and turn east. A branch road goes south across the 
railway. 

79. 9 Cross a bridge over a very large canal and just east of it a bridge over a 
smaller canal. 

80.7 Crossroads. Geological Survey sign. Turn south (right) to Yuma. 

82. 2 Cross a railway and turn east up a hill. Yuma Indian School on left. 

82.3 Reach bridge over Colorado River. Cross and follow principal streets 

into Yuma. 
82. 7 Yuma. At post office or railway station. 

YUMA TO BLYTHE (83 MILES). 

0. Yuma post office or railway station. Follow the principal streets to the 

bridge over Colorado River. 
0. 3 Bridge over Colorado River. Cross and go west downhill by Yuma 

Indian School. 
0. 5 A branch road leads to the left and offers a possible route to Imperial 

Valley points. Continue straight ahead, ci'ossing a railway track and 

turning north. > 

2.0 Crossroads. Geological Survey sign. Turn west (left) for Ely the. 
2. 7 Cross a bridge over a large canal, and a little farther on a bridge over 

one much larger. Continue west. 
5.0 Road reaches railway and turns north (right), away from it. A branch 

road goes south across the railway. 
5.5 Turn west (left). 
6.4 Turn north (right) and go about li miles up a deep sandy wash to 

terrace above. A branch road leads southwest (left) at the turn. 
11.0 Road forks. Geological Survey sign. The road going south (left) goes 

to Ogilby, Glamis, and Imperial Valley. To take Tumco cut-off to 

Blythe continue northwest. 
13.0 A branch road enters from the southeast (left). Continue west. 
14.7 Auto Club sign. A plain road leads to the west (left) directly into 

Ogilby. Take right-hand fork. There are tracks and trails leading 

over the desert In every direction for the next 3 or 4 miles, but it 

should be easy to find the main road leading northwest. It passes near 

the base of the mountains but does not enter them. Roads leading to 

the south or west go to Ogilby. 
20. The road crosses a wash in the foot of the mountains, and a branch road 

leads east (right) up the wash to Tumco, whose deserted houses are 

conspicuous half a mile away. Usually there is no one at that place, 

and no water can be obtained. Continue northwest without passing 

throiigh Tumco. 
21. 5 A branch road leads to the right, going to a place called Hoges Ferry, 

on Colorado River. There was a board sign at the fork in 1918. 

Take left-hand road, passing northwest across a smooth gravelly 

plain with few landmarks. 



SALTON" SEA KEGIOIS', CALIFOKNIA. 63 

33. At about this distance the road enters a large wash in which ironwood 
trees are abundant. The wash is a little sandy but should not be 
difficult for automobiles. 

38. 5 A good road entering from the southwest is the Glamis-Blythe road. 
Geological Survey sign at the fork. For a detailed log of the road 
from this point into Blythe set gage to 14.8 and use the Glamis- 
Blythe log (p. 59). As the road is easy to follow nearly all the way 
into Blythe, the following continuous readings out of Yuma may be 
sufficient for many persons. 

45. 4 Smith Well. Mining camp. Fair water. 

54. 8 Summit of pass in Palo Verde Mountains. 

64. Palo Verde. Store and post office. Water and gasoline. 

68. 7 Rannells. Store and post office. Water and gasoline. 

82. 7 Blythe. Water, supplies, and hotels. 

YUMA TO PICACHO. 

Two miles north of Yuma, in Yuma Valley, a road goes north from a comer 
marked by a Geological Survey sign. This is the road to Picacho. Three 
miles north of the corner the road crosses a bridge over the Highline Canal in 
Yuma Valley, and about a mile farther north ascends a bluff out of Yuma Valley 
and continues north over the " mesa " and through the Picacho Hills into 
Picacho, the total distance being probably less than 20 miles from Yuma, al- 
though locally called 25 miles. The road has seldom been traveled by auto- 
mobiles and is almost impassable because of sand along the terrace bluff 5 
miles from Yuma. The rest of it is reported as fair. The road was not traveled 
and no accurate description can be given. 

Water for domestic use at Picacho is said to be derived from wells in a 
little valley called Picacho Wash. Water for mining has been obtained from 
Colorado River. , 

' YUMA TO LAGUNA DAM. 

Several dirt roads of fair quality lead northeast through Yuma Valley; on 
the California side of the river, to Yuma dam, or Laguna dam, as it is now 
named. One road goes east from the same corner, where the Picacho road goes 
north, 2 miles north of Yuma. The distance is about 11 miles. There is a 
little settlement called Potholes at the dam, and a few caretakers live there. 

BLYTHE-BLYTHE JUNCTION.i 
BLYTHE TO BLYTHE JTTNCTION (41 MILES). 

0.0 Blythe. Post office, two blocks east of railway crossing. Start west. 
0.5 Geological Survey and Auto Club signs. Turn north (right). Road west 
goes to Mecca. Road south goes to Yuma and Imperial valleys. 

1. Crossroads. Road going west may be taken for Mecca. Continue north, 

ignoring branch roads, which serve near-by ranches. 
5.5 Auto Club sign. Cross large canal and take left-hand road. This con- 
tinues nearly straight north from canal for about 300 feet and then 
turns sharply west. Next mile is sandy. Road to right goes to Blythe 
Intake. (See p. 65.) 

6. 1 Cross railway and turn north, climbing sandy grade to terrace. 

6. 4 Edge of- terrace overlooking Palo Verde Valley. Go northwest. A tele- 
phone line runs near the road most of the way to Blythe Junction. 
13. 4 Branch road enters from south. It is another route leading from Blythe 
by way of Graham Well but is very sandy and little used. 

* The name of Blythe Junction has been changed to Rice since this guide was written. 



64 



KOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 



18. 5 Trail leads northeast to mining prospect. Continue straight. 

20i0 Geological Survey sign. Branch road turns ^Yest to Mineral Switch, 500 
feet away, on railway, and continues to Chandler Well, Adams Well, 
McCoy Spring, etc. (See p. 66.) Water may be obtainable at Mineral 
Switch in emergency, as it is hauled there for mine supply. Continue 
straight. 

22.2 Branch road west paralleled by telephone line goes to gypsum mines, 
2.8 miles away. Continue straight. 

23. 2 Crest of low pass between Maria and Little INIaria ranges. 

23. 4 Cross the railway. 

25.5 Branch road turns to left at small angle. This leads to Gyp Well, I 

mile away, derricli over which is visible from this point. Mileage given 
on straight (right-hand) road. 
26. 3 Geological Survey sign. Branch road goes west to Gyp Well, one-fourth 
mile avvay. This may also be followed 3J miles west to Mohave Tank, 
in the pass plainly visible in the Little Blaria Mountains. Water is 
obtainable at Gyp Well when the gypsum mines are being worlsed. 
Continue northwest. 




FiGDEE 1. — Sketch map of vicinity of Blythe Junction, Calif. 



26.6 
28.9 



34.4 



36.3 

37.1 

39.1 
39.5 
40.6 
40.8 



Branch road returns from Gyp Well. 

Road forks. Both roads lead to Brown Well and Blythe Junction and 
both are bad. Right-hand road is very sandy and at places planked. 
Left-hand road is crooked, crosses many washes, and is 1 mile longer. 
Mileage is given over left-hand road, which is probably preferable. 

Brown Well. Roads rejoin. Mileage over east branch is 33.4. Water 
at faucet from tank beside w^ell. Branch road turns northwest, around 
a house, and leads to mine in Arica Mountain. Main road goes north- 
east. 

Trail leads east to Gray's mill and well (abandoned). 

Planked road over bad sand begins. A road leads southwest to Priest 
Well and a mine in Arica Mountain. 

End of planked road. 

Cross California Southern Railway. 

Geological Survey sign. Branch road goes east to Parker. 

Blythe Junction. Branch road goes west, along railway, to Cadiz, 
Barstow, etc. (See fig. 1.) 



I 



SAINTON SEA KEGION, CALIFORNIA. 65 

BLYTHE JUNCTION TO BLYTHE (41 MILES). 

0. Blythe Junction. Post office. Start south. Telephone line runs along 

road most of way. (See fig. 1.) 
0. 2 Branch road turns east to Parker. Continue on right-hand road, leading 

south. 

1.3 Cross California Southern Railway. 

1. 7 Planked road across drift sand begins. 

3. 7 End of planked road. Branch road goes west (right) to Priest Well and 

to mine in Arica Mountain. 

4. 5 Trail leads east to Gray's mill and well ( abandoned ) . 

6. 4 Brown Well. Water at faucet from tank beside well. A branch road 

comes in on northwest from mine in Arica Mountain but is hardly 
noticeable. The main road forks here ; one branch goes slightly south- 
west (right) over crooked road that crosses numerous washes, and the 
other southeast (left) along telephone line. The left-hand road is 1 
mile shorter but very sandy. Both roads are bad. Mileage was 
measured over right-hand road. 
11.9 Branch road rejoins (mileage 10.9 on left branch). Continue southeast. 

14. 2 Road forks. Road to right goes by way of Gyp Well, derrick of which 

is visible. Mileage given on straight road (left). 

14. 5 Geological Survey sign. Branch road west to Gyp Well, one-fourth mile 

away. May also be followed to Mohave Tank, 3J miles west, in pass 
visible in Little Maria Mountains. Water may or may not be obtain- 
able at well. It is always obtainable when gypsum mines are being 
worked and may be drawn from tank through faucet. 

15. 3 Branch road returns from Gyp Well. 
17. 4 Cross the railway. 

17. 6 Summit of pass through Maria Mountains. 

18. 6 Branch road west paralleled by telephone line leads to gypsum mine, 2.8 

miles away. 
20. 8 Geological Survey sign. Branch road turns west to Mineral Switch, 0.1 
mile away, on railway. It leads westward to Chandler Well, Adams 
Well, McCoy Spring, etc. Water may sometimes be had at Mineral 
Switch in emergency, as it is hauled there for mine supply. 

22. 3 Trail leads northeast to mining prospect. 

27.4 Branch road goes south (right). It is a little-used road to Blythe by 

way of Graham Well. It is passable but sandy. Water not obtainable 

at Graham Well in 1918. Use left-hand road. 
34. 4 Edge of terrace overlooking Palo Verde Valley. 
34. 7 Cross railway and turn east, over sandy road. 
35.3 Auto Club sign. Turn due south across large canal. Ignore branch 

roads, which serve near-by ranches. 
40.3 Geological Survey and Auto Club signs. Turn east (left). Road west 

goes to Mecca. Road south goes to Yuma and Imperial Valley. 
40. 8 Blythe. Post office, two blocks east of railway crossing. 

BLYTHE TO BLYTHE INTAKE. 

About 5 miles north of Blythe a branch road goes northeast from the Blythe 
Junction road. It leads to Blythe Intake, which is about 7 miles from the road 
fork. The road is passable, at least for wagons, but is said not to be very 
good. 



66 ROUTES TO DESEKT WATERING PLACES. 

BLYTHE INTAKE TO PAEKEB. 

There is an ancient trail along the river from the Blythe Intake north as far 
as Parker, Ariz. It is probably not passable for vehicles. C. H. Baldwin, of 
Blythe, describes it as follows : " For a few miles north of Blythe Intake the 
trail passes through some rough ' badland ' hills, the border of the Maria 
Mountains. Later it crosses swampy land between the mountains and the river, 
thei-e being a big slough on the east. An abandoned limekiln is along this part 
of the road. Not far from the limekiln a canyon comes from the west, and up it 
a burro trail leads to Willow Spring and on across the Maria Mountains. The 
river trail continues northward to Parker." 

McCOY SPRING, ADAMS WELL, CHANDLER WELL, AND McCOY 
TANKS, EROM BLYTHE AND BLYTHE JUNCTION. 

Note. — The only reasonably good^way of reaching the places named above 
from Blythe is to use the main Blythe Junction road as far as Mineral Switch, 
a siding on the California Southern Railroad, 20 miles from Blythe. The 
traveler is therefore referred to the log on page 63 for the first 20 miles of 
the route. Persons going from Blythe Junction to any of these watering places 
will also turn oflC at Mineral Switch, which is 20.8 miles south of Blythe Junc- 
tion. (See log, p. 65.) 

MINERAL SWITCH TO McCOY SPRING (22 MILES). 

0.0 Geological Survey sign, 0.1 mile east of Mineral Switch. Turn west 
toward railway. 

0.1 Mineral Switch (formerly English Siding). This is a shipping point for 
mines in the near-by mountains, but usually no one lives here, and 
there are no buildings. Water is hauled here by the railway com- 
pany for miners' supply and is sometimes obtainable. Cross railway. 
Continue west then southwest. 

1. 2 Road forks. Take either branch. Distance was measured on right-hand 
road. 

2. 7 The two branches unite, and road leads southwest through a group of 
scattered hills at the south end of the Little Maria Mountains. On 
leaving the hills the road turns west. 

9.2 Crossroads. Geological Survey sign. To reach Chandler Well turn 
north and follow the road 4 miles. This well is 17 feet deep, and 
yields good water. The road south leads to McCoy Tanks. (See ap- 
pendix to this log, p. 67.) To reach McCoy Spring continue west. 
10. 2 Another branch road leads south to McCoy Tanks. Continue west. 
10. 8 Three-way fork. Geological Survey sign. The left-hand road leads to 
Black Jack Camp, where some manganese mines, visible about a mile 
away on the mountain side, were being operated in 1918. The right- 
hand road goes to Adams and Packard weUs. ( See appendix to this log, 
p. 67.) The middle road leads to McCoy Spring. 
12. 5 At about this point the road crosses some sandy washes, branches out in 
several ways, and becomes rather indefinite. There is a Geological 
Survey sign at the most doubtful point. Go south from the sign, keep- 
ing from 1 to 2 miles west of the McCoy Mountains but east of the 
wide wash draining south toward Ford Dry Lake. The road is very 
dim at places and is badly washed out along numerous gullies. 
15.3 A plain road leads east (left) to an abandoned mine in the mountains. 
Continue south. 



SALTON SEA KEGION, CALIFORNIA. 67 

16. 2 A county signpost stands on the west side of the road, where a dim 
trail leads west (right). Continue south. 

19. 8 County signs and a Geological Survey sign mark dim crossroad^. The 
trail that continues south leads to Ford Well but is impassable for 
automobiles. The road west joins the Mecca-Blythe road about 14 
miles away but is known to be very bad. Turn east (left) to x-each 
McCoy Spring. 

22. 1 The road ends at a little flat bench on the south side of a gully at the 
west base of the McCoy Mountains. McCoy Spring is about 150 feet 
east in the bed of the main gully. The water is good if clean from 
the surface fllth. 

MINERAI, SWITCH ^0 MoCOY TANKS (11 MILES). 

From Alineral Switch go over McCoy Spring road, as indicated in preceding 
log, to Geological Survey sign at crossroads (9.2). 

9.2 Geological Survey sign at crossroads. Turn south (left). 
10. 3 Crossroads. County sign. The road that is crossed comes from the north 

and leads southeast to Blythe. It is little used and in bad condition. 

For McCoy Tanks go southwest into the mountains on a dim road that 

leads toward a large canyon. 
11. 1 McCoy Tanks. End of the road at north edge of canyon. One of the 

tanks is a few hundred feet east (down the canyon) ; the other is about 

half a mile west. Both of the tanks are often dry in summer. 

MINERAL SWITCH TO ADAMS WELL. 

From Mineral Switch go over McCoy Spring road, as indicated in pre- 
ceding log, to Geological Survey sign at three-way fork (10.8). 

10. 8 Geological Survey sign at three-way fork. For Adams Well turn to the 
right. The road leads northwest over badly dissected desert basin. It 
is rather dim and bad at places but generally passable. 

21. e A Geological Survey sign stands at the entrance to a canyon which once 
afliorded a pass for a wagon road through the Palen Mountains. A 
wagon or possibly even an automobile might proceed as far as Adams 
Well, but it is best to walk the rest of the way if traveling in a car. 
The distance to Adams Well is about 1 mile. Packard Well is about 3 
miles farther on the west side of the mountains, but not even a wagon 
could have traveled the dim canyon trail in 1918. Adams Well is 
about 43 feet deep, and has water 20 feet below the surface. The 
Packard Well is said to go dry .sometimes. 

OLD ROUTE FROM MoCOY TANKS TO PATTERSON AND GRAHAM WELLS. 

A practicallj' abandoned trail leads southeast from the old county sign, half 
■s. mile north of McCoy Tanks and in various ways connects with Patterson 
AVell and Graham Well. Portions of it were traveled by the writer. The dis- 
tance from McCoy Tanks to Graham Well is 19 miles, but McCoy Wash is so 
sandy as to be practically impassable for cars. Branch roads lead southeast, 
avoiding the wash, and an automobile could probably get through safely from 
McCoy Tanks to Patterson Well. The Graham Well was abandoned in 1917 
and no water was obtainable. 



68 ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

MECCA TO COTTONWOOD SPRING, IRON CH£EP MINE, DALE, 
ELDORADO MINE, PINYON WELL, AND INDIO. 

MECCA TO DALE BY WAY OF COTTONWOOD SPRING. 

0. Mecca. Public water fountain just nortli of railway station. Start east. 
0. 9 Geological Survey sign. A branch road leads south to Dos Palmas, etc. 

(See p. 50.) Continue east. 
3. 2 Auto Club sign. 

3. 9 Turn northeast, passing under electric transmission line. A branch road 
following the transmission line is used chiefly by linemen but oc- 
casionally by travelers who go southeast ( right ) at this point to Doa 
Palmas. (See p. 55.) Continue northeast, up a sandy slope. 
6. Enter Shaver Canyon and pass through an area of badlands several 
miles wide. 

12. 1 ShaTsr Well, on north side of road. Good water. Continue northeast, 
up canyon, which becomes merely a wash half a mile farther on. 

12.6 Road forks. Auto Club signs. Right-hand road goes to Blythe. Take 
left-hand road for Cottonwood Springs and Dale. For several miles 
it leads up a rather sandy wash. 

16. 3 County sign. A branch road that continues east is the old road to 
Blythe. Turn to the left on plainest road, passing up the slope of a 
steep alluvial fan. 

20. 4 The road enters a canyon at the edge of the mountains, crossing the 
very sandy canyon bed at this point. 

20. 8 County sign. The road turns north up the east side of the canyon 
avoiding the deep sand in its middle. 

22. The road takes the center of the very sandy canyon bed. Autos may 
have difficulty here. Continue up the canyon between low granite 
walls. At one place the road goes over a short steep cut in rock at the 
side of the canyon. 

23. 5 Branch road leads east (right) to Cottonwood Spring, visible about 100 
yards away, where there is excellent water. Near spring is a house 
and a grove of cottonwood trees. Road to Dale continues up the 
canyon until it emerges from the mountains upon a rolling upland. 

25.0 County sign. A dim branch road leads northwest (left) to Pinkhara 
Well. Take right-hand road for Dale. 

31.3 Branch road turns west (left) to Twenty-nine Palms, Pinyon Well, etc. 
(See p. 69.) About 100 feet farther north another branch road turns 
east (right) to the Iron Chief mine. Both forks are posted with 
county signs. Use the center road to reach Dale. 

The road from this point to Dale was not traveled by the writer. It is 
known to pass first over a long, broad desert basin. About 15 miles from this 
fork (approximately 46.0) it reaches the Brooklyn mine, in the south edge of 
a low mountain range. If a watchman is present at the place water may be ob- 
tainable. From the Brooklyn mine the road goes northwest through the 
mountains to New Dale, a mining camp, once prominent but abandoned in 
1918, about 4 miles away (approximately 50.0). No water is obtainable at 
New Dale. From New Dale a road leads northwest across a sandy desert 
basin to Old Dale, 6 miles farther. It is probable that a road also leads north 
from New Dale to a pumping plant 6 miles away, in the edge of a " dry lake." 

At Old Dale will be found an abandoned well with a broken windmill, an un- 
used pumping plant, and a few ruined adobe huts. A road leads northeast to 
Amboy, and 21 miles away on this road is a well with Avindmill at which 



SALTON SEA KEGIOK, CALIFORNIA. 69 

water was obtainable in Januaiy, 1918. A road leads west from Old Dale into 
Banning. (See p. 71.) An automobile may approach within about a mile of 
this well, but for the rest of the way the drift sand is deep and almost im- 
passable. 

IROK CHIEF MINE. 

At_31.3 miles from Mecca a branch road goes east (right) to the Iron Chief 
mine, a noted but lately inactive property in the Eagle Mountains. This road 
is reported to be passable by automobile. There is a county sign at the road 
fork. Water hauled or pumped from Cottonwood Spring may be obtainable at 
the Iron Chief mine when the mine is operated. 

ROAD WEST FROM COTTONWOOD SPRINGS. 

At IJ miles north of Cottonwood Spring (25.0) a branch road marked by an 
old Riverside County sign goes west (left) to various portions of the Cotton- 
wood Mountains and is reported to end somewhere about 10 miles west. Its 
location as given on the map is adopted from recent Land Office surveys and 
is probably reliable. It serves prospectors in the region west of Cottonwood 
Spring. Its condition was not ascertained, but from the nature of the country 
it ought to be good for several miles. 

COTTONWOOD SPRING TO ELDORADO MINE AND PINYON WELL (31 MILES). 

0.0 Cottonwood Spring. Go north, up a sandy canyon, emerging in an 
upland region. 

1. 5 County sign. Branch road turns left. Take right-hand road. 

7. 7 A county sign marks a road fork turning to the left, and another marks 
one leading to the right about 100 feet away. Turn left on a dim road 
at the first sign. The road straight ahead leads to Dale, and the right- 
hand road goes to the Iron Chief mine. 

7. 9 to 10. 5 The road passes through an upland from which rise a great 
many isolated granite peaks and hills. The road is rough but easily 
traversable. On emerging from the hills the road for several miles 
skirts some low broken mountains which lie a short distance west and 
then leads northwest, across a basin several miles wide lying south of 
the Pinto Mountains. 
17. 7 A dim trail comes in from the east. In January, 1918, it was marked 
by a small board sign that pointed along it to the Brooklyn mine and 
Dale. Nothing more is known of it. The road to Eldorado leads 
nearly west, across a rather sandy basin. 

20. 2 Road fork. The right-hand branch leads northwest to Twenty-nine Palms 

and does not pass the Eldorado mine. Its condition was not ascer- 
tained, but it could probably be used as a cut-off to Twenty-nine Palms. 
It intersects the road from Eldorado to White Tanks and Twenty- 
nine Palms, about a mile away. (See p. 71.) There was a small 
board sign in 1918. Take left-hand road for Eldorado mine. 

21. 3 A road leads north, around the mountain, to White Tanks and Twenty- 

nine Palms. (See p. 71.) For Eldorado mine continue west, enter- 
ing a canyon. 

21. 8 Eldorado mine. House and other buildings in canyon. Water piped 
from Pinyon Well is obtainable when the mine is worked. For road 
to Banning, see log (p. 71). To reach Pinyon Well continue west. The 
road leads up a small narrow canyon and crosses a low divide. 

24. 5 A cut-off leads straight ahead (west) but is rough and rocky. Just 
north of the road fork is a faucet in the pipe line leading from Pinyon 



70 ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

Well to the Eldorado mine, and good water may be had when the 
mine is worked. Turn left (south). 
24. 8 The road turns west, up a wash, around an abandoned cabin and mill. 

25. 4 The branch road noted at 24.1 enters from the east. Continue west, up 

the wash. 
26. 3 Road fork. The right-hand road is the best route to Banning. One may 
also follow it to the Geological Survey sign at the Gold Coin mine 1.6 
miles from this fork, and there turn southwest to Pinyon Well. The 
left-hand road is given because it is equally good and is shorter. 

28. 8 Road from Gold Coin mine enters from northeast. Continue southwest. 

29.9 Enter canyon in Little San Bernardino Mountains. A county sign 

points north on a dim branch road to Twenty-nine Palms. Continue 
up the canyon, which is sandy at places. 
SO. 6 Pinyon Well. Two dilapidated cabins and the ruins of a stamp mill in- 
dicate the place. Good water can be had at well between the road and 
the cabins. If it is desired to continue up the canyon to Indio, see 
log below. 

PINYON WELL TO INDIO (21.7 MILES). 

Note. — The road from Indio to Pinyon Well was originally made to connect 
Indio with mining properties in the vicinity of Pinyon Well and Pleasant Valley, 
but in 1918 it was almost unused for any purpose. It is practically impossible for 
automobiles to travel from Indio to Pinyon Well on account of sandy grades and 
very steep hills; but they can safely go from Pinyon Well into Indio, as the 
road is nearly all downhill. Accordingly the log and description are given in' 
this direction. It may accommodate persons either from Banning or Cotton- 
^vood Spring who wish to use a short cut into Indio from Pleasant Valley. 

0. Pinyon Well. Start southwest, up a sandy canyon. There is a county 

sign near the well. 
1.3 A large tributary ravine enters the main canyon, which swings west at 

this point, and a dim trail leads over the hill between the two canyons 

to Henson Well, about three-fourths mile south. Continue west, up 

the main canyon. 

1.7 Summit of the pass over the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Con- 

tinue west, down a very steep hill along a deep canyon with sandy bed. 

6. 8 County well, on south (left) side of road. Water is obtainable with rope 

and bucket, which are usually provided, and is of good quality. There 
is a county sign opposite the well. Continue down the canyon. 

10. 5 The road emerges from the canyon upon a rocky slope and turns south- 

east, down a- sandy wash, passing between the base of the Little San 
Bernardino Mountains on the east and an isolated mountain ridge on 
the west. This ridge on the west gradually diminishes toward the 
south and ends in a strip of clay hills. 
17. 9 The road turns suddenly southwest, ascending a very sandy slope, passing 
through a gap in the clay hills mentioned above, and emerging upon 
Coachella Valley in sight of Indio. 

19. 1 The road branches at about this point, and a fork leads to the right, 

directly toward Indio. Use the road to the left (south), which is 
probably better. 
19. 9 Ranch house. Go due south. 

20.2 Crossroads. Turn west (right), along telephone line, on good dirt road. 
21. 2 Crossroads. County sign. Turn south (left) to Indio. 



I 



SALTON SEA KEGIOISr, CALIFORNIA. 71 

21. 7 Indio. Railway station. Water, hotel, supplies. To reach the highway- 
leading to Los Angeles or Imperial Valley continue south half a mile. 

ELDORADO MINE TO TWENTY-NINE PALMS BY "WAY OF WHITE TANK. 

0. Eldorado mine. Go east, down the canyon. 

0. 5 Road fork. Right-hand road leads east to Cottonwood Spring. Turn 
left, crossing about 3 miles of very rocky alluvial slope. 

2. A branch road enters from the south, coming from Cottonwood Spring. 
Continue north, up a wide pass between the Hexie and Pinto moun- 
tains. 

3. 5 Road becomes very dim and crosses a sandy wash for about a mile. 

4.0 A dim branch road leads west (left) toward Keys ranch. Continue 
northwest, up the main pass. A county sign marks this fork. 

7. 5 The road here has reached a high upland plain and passes a number of 
huge white granite masses that rise as smooth isolated blocks. The 
scattered rubbish left by campers is usually to be seen around these 
rocks. About half a mile east is White Tank, in a small gorge that 
passes through these granite masses at the west base of Pinto Moun- 
tain. Only cattle trails lead in that direction, indicating its location. 
Water most of the year. Continue north for Twenty-nine Palms. 
The route is not definitely known to the writer beyond this point, but 
the road is easily passable for automobiles and reaches Twenty-nine 
Palms about 9 miles away (total reading approximately 16.5). About 
4 or 5 miles beyond the vicinity of White Tank it joins a road from the 
west that comes from Quail Spring and Keys ranch, 

BANNING TO DALE. 

[See fig. 2.] 

0. Banning. Two blocks north of railway station. Start east over paved 

road. 
1. Southern Pacific Railroad. Go east along track. 
5. 8 Cabezon railway station and store. Water and gasoline. Continue east 

along railway. 
12.9 Geological Survey sign. Dale road turns northeast (left), away from 

the main road, which continues southeast to Coachella Valley, It is 

sandy at first. 
13. 1 Turn straight east. There are numerous signposts recently erected by the 

Automobile Club of Southern California along this portion of the route. 

but their exact location is not given. 

13. 8 Turn north. 

13.9 Turn northeast, up a sandy and rocky slope. There are a number of 

houses in this vicinity. 

14.4 A branch road leads south (right) to Whitewater. Continue northeast. 

14. 8 Cross bridge over Whitewater River. 

14.9 A branch road to the right at the foot of a hill leads to Palm Springs 
station. Take the left-hand road, which is cut in the side of the steep 
hill. An Auto Club sign has been erected here. The road reaches the 
top of the steep grade not far away and turns northeast over a sandy 
table-land. 

18.3 A dim trail leads to the left. Continue on plain road (right). 



72 



ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 




58 



a 
a 

h 

a 



SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 73 

20.4 Crossroads. Auto Club and private signs. Road northwest (left) leads 

to Mission Creek ; road southeast leads to Palm Springs station. Con- 
tinue straight ahead, northeast. The road is sandy and difficult at 
places. 

21.5 A branch road leads northwest (left). In January, 1918, a board sign 

directed along this road to the T+K ranch, IJ miles away. Continue 
northeast (right). 

22. 6 Enter canyon passing through foothills of San Bernardino Mountains. 

The road goes north up the gorge. 

23. 4 Water runs in the canyon at this point during most of the year. 

25. 1 On a steep grade an Auto Club sign points west along a footpath to 

Hole-in-the-wall Spring. Water is obtainable about 100 yards away 

on this path. 
2.5. 3 Summit of pass through San Bernardino Mountains. Overlook Morongo 

Valley, which lies north. 
25. 5 Road turns straight east, passing a house at which is a well not far 

away. 

26. Road turns due north. 

26. 2 Tui'n straight east. A branch road continues north. 

26. 5 Pass through a gate on the ranch of "W. Y. Covington, formerly called 
Warren ranch. 

2Q. 8 CoTington ranch (Warren ranch). Good water. Small stock of provi- 
sions and a supply of gasoline — probably the last available on this 
route. Continue north from ranch. 

27. Cross Big Morongo Creek, a small stream of good water. 

27. 1 Pass through gate, out of Covington ranch. Continue northeast, over 

main road, which is at places sandy and rocky but a fair automobile 

road. 
29. 7 A branch road leads to the right to a house about one-fourth mile away. 

Continue north on main road, finally ascending a long grade out of 

Morongo Valley. 
34. Crest of divide at northeast end of Morongo Valley. The road descends 

a short steep slope into another valley, sometimes called Yucca Valley. 
35. 4 A crossroad leads north and south, but main road goes straight ahead 

toward east. The road leading north is an old wagon road to The 

Pipes, but it was not passable in 1918. The road to the south is said 

to lead to a place called Warren Tank, about 2 miles away, where 

water is obtainable in a small tunnel. 
38. 2 Geological Survey sign. A branch road turns north to The Pipes. A 

house stands 0.1 mile east, and a well with windmill is in front of 

the house. This is the Warren Well. 

38. 3 Warren Well. Good water is kept in a reservoir. A road is said to 

turn to the left (just east of this well) and to go north to Surprise 
Spring, but nothing could be seen of it. Continue east, across a small 
playa, on the main road, which for the next 20 miles is excellent desert 
road. A few trails lead north and south in the next 3 miles, but the 
main road is unmistakable. 
43. Road forks. Geological Survey sign. Right-hand branch leads southeast 
to Quail Spring and Pinyon AY ell. (See p. 74.) For Dale continue 
east on right-hand road. 

47. 2 A branch road turns left, leading to Coyote Well, one-fourth mile away. 

over which a windmill is visible. Water. For Dale continue east 
(right). 



74 EOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

48. Branch road returns from well. Continue east. 

58. 7 House on north side of road, sometimes occupied by miners. Wells, on 

north and south sides of road, where water is obtainable, but it is oaly 

a mile to Twenty-nine Palms. Continue east. 
59.0 A branch road leads southeast (right). Continue east (left). 
59.5 A branch road leads northeast (left) to Mesquite Spring. Continue east 

(right). 

59. 7 Twenty-nine Palms. The palms stand in a long row south of the road. 

There is a house at this point and two or three springs within a few 

hundred feet. Paths lead to the springs, which can be found easily. 

Any one that is in good condition is satisfactory. Continue east for 

Dale. A branch road also leads north from the house to Mesquite 

Spring, but it is not plain. 
59. 9 A branch road leads south to Eldorado mine and other points. ( See 

p. 71.) Continue east. 
61. 9 Enter a small canyon, which affords a pass through a low ridge of 

granite. 
62. 9 Emerge from pass through granite ridge. 
67. The road is very sandy for the next 2 miles. 
69.0 A branch road turns southeast (right). Continue on left branch. The- 

road becomes less sandy for a distance. 
72. Sand becomes very bad again. Deflates tires if necessary. 

73.8 Old Dale (also called Old Virginia Dale). The remains of a few adobe^ 

houses, a broken windmill over a well that is badly caved, and a pump 
house on a little eminence to the east indicate the place. To reach 
New Dale, the mining camp, continue east, over the hill by the pump 
house, and then follow the road southeast. This road was not traveled 
by the writer. It is known to be sandy. The distance from Old Dale 
to New Dale Is reported to be 6 miles. There was no one at New Dale 
in January, 1918. From Old Dale a road goes north to Amboy, about 
40 miles away on the Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. It is very 
bad — almost impassable for automobiles. One may get water, however, 
at a well 2M miles northeast of Old Dale on this road. It is pos- 
sible to approach safely by automobile within about a mile of this well, 
but in the last mile the sand is deep and very difficult to cross. There 
is a windmill over the well, which supplied water to range cattle in 
1918. 

BANiniTG TO QFAIL SPRING, KEYS RANCH, PINYON WELL, AND 

ELDORADO MINK 

[See fig. 2.] 

This road branches from the Banning-Dale route 43 miles east of Banning^ 
and 4.7 miles east of Warren Well. It will generally be used by persons 
coming from the west. Distances are therefore made to read from Banning, 
and the traveler is referred to the Banning-Dale log (p. 71) for the route 
as far as the road fork. 

43.0 miles from Banning (4.7 miles east of Warren Well). Road forks. 
Geological Survey sign. Take the right-hand road to Quail Spring. The 
left-hand road continues east to Dale. Proceed southeast, up a long 
wash that is rather sandy at places. 



SALTON" SEA KEGIOK, CALIFORNIA. 75 

50. 5 Geological Survey sign. Branch road goes south (right) to Quail 
Spring. Good water in a reservoir 0.1 mile away. For Keys ranch 
and Eldorado mine turn east (left) over main road. 

51.5 A plain but little-used road leads south (right) to a cabin about 2 miles 
away. Continue east. 

53. 3 Geological Survey sign. A plain road leads to the right, going to Lost 
Horse Well and Lost Horse mine. Continue east (left). 

55. 7 A plain road branches to the left, going to Keys ranch, half a mile away. 
There is another branch a little farther on. Continue to the right. 

55. 9 Geological Survey sign. A branch road goes north to Keys ranch, visible 
about half a mile away, where good water can be obtained. For points 
beyond follow the main road southeast. 

56. Road forks. One branch leads east, the other southeast. The two re- 
unite not far away. Take the southeast (right) branch, which is less 
sandy and usually better. 

57. A dim road goes south to Lost Horse Well. ( See p. 81. ) Continue on 
plain road to left. 

58. 2 Branch road noted at 56.0 enters from the west. At nearly the same 
place a branch turns northeast (left) to a windmill which can be seen 
about half a mile away. This is the Desert Queen Well, where water 
was not obtainable in January, 1918. For points beyond, continue east 
(right). 

58. 7 A branch road returns from windmill noted above. Continue east. 

60. A branch road leads east to the Desert Queen mine, 2 miles away. Turn 
to the right and go southeast. The road is not much used and is rather 
sandy at places in the next few miles. 

60. 7 A faint cross trail leads east and west. Continue southeast, straight 

ahead. 

61.8 County sign. A branch road leads east to Twenty-nine Palms. Go 

southeast (right). 

63.2 County sign. A branch road leads east (left) to Cottonwood Spring. 
Continue south (right). 

65. 7 County sign. A branch road coming from Twenty-nine Palms enters on 
the left. Continue south. 

67. 5 The main road swings east (left) into a little basin called Pleasant Val- 
ley. A very faint trail may be seen leading south. It is a short cut to 
Pinyon Well and is probably passable but was not traveled by the 
writer. Continue east, as there Is a good road not far away. 

68. 7 Point is on a small playa in the center of Pleasant Valley. Geological 
Survey sign. Abandoned buildings of the Gold Coin mine are con- 
spicuous 0.1 mile east. The road continues east to the Eldorado mine., 
(See log, p. 76.) To reach Pinyon Well turn southeast (right). The 
Geological Survey sign at this point gives '28 miles as the distance 
to Indio, but it really is only 25, the road not having been measured 
when the sign was erected. 

69. 9 Going southwest on road to Pinyon Well. A branch road enters from -the 

east, coming from the Eldorado mine. Continue southwest. 
71.0 The road enters a canyon in the Little San Bernardino Mountains. 

County sign, on the north side of the road, directs north along a dim 

trail to Twenty-nine Palms this being the other end of the branch 

road mentioned at 67.5. 
71. 7 Pinyon Well. Two tumble-down cabins and the wreck of a stamp mill 

identify the spot. The well is on the left (east) oi -the .roacj, .be- 
157138"— 20 6 



76 EOUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

tween the road arid the houses. A rope and bucket were provided in 
1918 and good water was obtainable. To reach Indio from Pinyon 
Well, see log of Pinyon Well to Jndio road (p. 70). This road con- 
tinues up the canyon from Pinyon Well, and a county sign stands near 
the well. 

Boad to the Eldorado mine. 

68. 7 Geological Survey sign on playa in Pleasant Valley, near Gold Coin mine. 
From this point, in the above log, continue east to reach Eldorado 
mine. 

68. 8 Pass by buildings of Gold Coin mine, which was abandoned in 1918. 

70.3 A plain road enters from the west (right), coming from Pinyon Well. 
Continue east, down a sandy wash. 

71.2 Road forks. A plain road leads to the left over a hill. It is a small 
cut-off but is rocky and little traveled. Continue to the right, down 
the wash. 

71.8 Pass an abandoned cabin and mine building and turn north (left), out 
of the wash. 

72. 1 The branch road noted at 71.2 enters from the west. Road turns 
abruptly east. About 20 feet north of the road at this turn there is a 
faucet in a pipe line which is buried near the road. The pipe line 
leads water from Pinyon Well to the Eldorado mine. Good water is 
obtainable at the faucet when the mine is worked. Continue east 
over a hilly country, later going down a small canyon leading east. 

74.8 Eldorado mine. House and mine buildings are conspicuous in canyon. 
Water piped from Pinyon WeU when mine is operated. A road goes 
east to Cottonwood Spring (p. 69) and another goes<vnorth to Twenty- 
nine Palms (p. 71). 

WHITEWATER, TO PAllC SPRINGS STATION. 

From a point. 1 mile west of Whitewater, or 12.9 miles east of Banning, a 
road goes northeast from the Bannlng-Coachella highway. (See Banning-Dale 
log, p. 71.) From it a branch road leads east to Palm Springs station (Gray 
post office), on the Southern Pacific Railroad, 6 miles east of Whitewater. The 
road is sandy and rather bad but passable, although rarely used by automobile. 
A log is hardly necessary but the route may be summarized as follows : 

0. Geological Survey and Auto Club signs on Banning-Coachella highway, 
1 mile west of Whitewater. Take the Banniug-Dale road leading 
northeast. 

2, 1 Auto Club sign. Take right-hand road at foot of hill just east of White- 
water River. Follow a power line east for several miles. 

7. Crossroads. Road north leads to Morongo Valley and Dale. Road east 
leads to ranches of the neighborhood. Road south leads to Palm 
Springs railway station, which is easily seen. 

7. 4 Palm Springs railway station, consisting of one or two houses and a 
station. 

PALM SPRINGS TO PALM CANYON. 

From the resort at Palm Springs, Riverside County, a road goes south to 
Palm Canyon. It leaves the main Coachella Valley highway IJ miles southeast 



SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 77 ' 



of Palm Springs and goes south (right). The road is adequately posted with 
private signs and is a fair automobile road. It is considerably used by tourists 
and sightseers, especially by patrons of the resort at Palm Springs. It ends 
6.1 miles from Palm Springs, where the canyon becomes impassable for vehicles. 

About 3 miles from Palm Springs on this road there is an irrigated oasis, 
known as the Garden of Eden, which belongs to Indians of the Agua Caliente 
Reservation. They obtain water from Andreas Canyon by a diversion dam 
and conduit. 

Palm Canyon is a scenic attraction of much beauty. There is running water 
along a narrow canyon valley for several miles, and extensive groves of stately 
native palms. The canyon is walled by jagged and precipitous mountains on 
each side and extends back nearly to Toro Peak, 8,000 feet high. At the 
entrance to the canyon is a unique hermitage. A footpath extends for a con- 
siderable distance beyond the road into the more attractive scenic area. 

WATERING PLACES. 

Adams Well.— Page 67; Plate VII. 

Agua Caliente Springs. — Pages 40-42 ; Plate VI. 

Agna Dulce. — ^An artesian spring of the Figtree John and Fish springs variety. 
It was once an important watering place but is now supplanted by the 
artesian wells of neighboring ranches. It is in sec. 19, T. 8 S., R. 9 E., In 
southern Coachella Valley. (See PI. VI.) 

Alamo Bonito. — ^A group of artesian springs near the Coachella-Brawley road 
in southern Coachella Valley. Was once an important watering place but 
is now little used, owing to the development of artesian wells on surround- 
ing ranches. The springs are understood to be similar to Figtree John and 
Fish springs. They are in sec. 35, T. 7 S., R. 8 E. (See PI. VI.) 

Alamorio. — Village 4 miles east of Brawley. (See PI. VII.) Flowing well in 
the village. 

Alamo School. — Pages 29, 81; Plate VII. 

Amos.— Pages 23-26 ; Plate VII. 

Andreas Canyon. — Page 77; Plate VI. 

Angelina Spring. — About 2 miles east of Stuart Spring, or 5 miles west of 
Yaqui Well, in Grapevine Canyon, there is reported to be a seep of water in 
the canyon gravel. At times the water flows at the surface and at other 
times one must dig for it. It is a few hundred feet from the road and was 
not noticed In traversing the canyon road. Stuart Spring is a much more 
valuable watering place for travelers. (See PI. VI.) 

Anshutz Well. — In canyon in Eagle Mountains about 3 miles from Mecca- 
Blythe highway. (See PI. VI.) Inaccessible except on foot. Consists of 
trench and tributary tunnel. Small yield of good water. 

Arrowweed Spring.— Sec. 28, T. 11 S., R. 21 E. ( See PI. VII.) Details lacking. 

Aztec WeU.— Page 49 ; Plate VII. 

Banner. — Pages 39-43 ; Plate VI. 

Banner Creek. — Pages 39-43 ; Plate VI. 

Banning. — Pages 15, 71. 

Barrel Spring.— Pages 33, 36 ; Plate VI. 

Big Morongo Creek. — Page 73. 

Blythe.— Pages 47, 52, 58, 61, 63, 65 ; Plate VII. 

Blythe Junction. — Pages 64, 65 ; figure 1. 

Borego Spring. — ^Pages 32, 37; Plate VI. 

Boulder Well.— Page 50 ; Plate VII. 



78 ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

Brawley.— Pages 20, 22, 26, 34, 35 ; Plate VI. 

Brooklyn mine. — Page 68 ; figure 2. 

Brown Well.— Pages 64, 65 ; Plate VII ; figure 1. 

Bnrnt Palms Spring. — ^A little-known water hole in the Mecca Hills, east of 
Shaver Canyon, probably in sec. 10, T. 7 S., R. 10 E. It can be reached 
on foot from Shaver Canyon by a burro trail. It can also be reached by a 
trail entering the first large canyon in the Mecca Hills east of Shaver 
Canyon. The spring is identified by two large palms. Salt grass and mes- 
quite grow in patches. It is usually necessary to dig a foot or two into the 
moist soil to get water, which is salty and of poor quality. ( See PI. VI. ) 

Cabezon station. — Pages 15, 18, 71. 

Calexico. — Large town in Imperial Valley. (See PI. VII.) 

Calipatria.— Pages 22, 28; Plate VI. 

Campbell ranch. — In the west end of Vallecito Valley, in sec. 7, T. 14 S., R. 6 
E., about a mile southwest of the direct road through Vallecito and Mason 
valleys. Good water for domestic use is obtained at a spring west of the 
ranch house. (See PI. VI.) 

Canebrakes. — Pages 40, 42 ; Plate VI. 

Canyon Spring. — In a deep tributary of the Salt Creek Wash at the south side 
of the Orocopia Mountains, probably in sec. 20, T. 7 S., R. 13 E. It is 
about 1 mile north of the old stage route between Dos Palmas and Chuck- 
walla Well. At this place there is also a county sign which gives directions 
to the spring and other places. The spring is accessible by a wagon road, 
leading off from the main road, probably not passable for automobiles. 
The supply of water is a small seep in the sand of the canyon, and is not 
of good quality. (See PI. VI.) 

Carrizo.— Pages 40, 42, 43, 45 ; Plate VL 

Chocolate Mountains water holes. — These appear on the map of a Land OflSce 
survey (1915) and are labeled "Water in Holes," with two holes, evi- 
dently natural tanks, shown on opposite sides of a small canyon draining 
north near the summit of the Chocolate Mountains. They are near the 
south quarter stake of sec. 10, T. 11 S., R. 17 E. Some natural tanks are 
reported by local inhabitants to occur in this part of the range several 
miles east of Salvation Spring. These are probably the ones. (See PI. VII.) 

Chuckwalla Well.— Pages 51, 53 ; Plate VII. 

Clark Well. — ^At north side of Clark Dry Lake, in a large inclosed basin at the 
south end of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Accessible by poor and infre- 
quently traveled trails from Borego Valley or from the summits of the 
Santa Rosa Mountains, and can be reached by wagon probably only from 
Borego Spring or Valley. It was no,t visited during this investigation. Some 
reports stated that in 1918 the well was fiUed up and water not obtainable, 
but that ground water was obtainable at shallow depth by digging. The 
water is said to be good. ( See PI. VI. ) 

Clemens Well.— Pages 50, 54 ; Plate VI. 

Coachella.— Pages 16, 18, 22 ; Plate VI. 

Coffey Spring. — ^This spring is reported to be located at the south base of the 
Chocolate Mountains, 6 miles northeast of Frink Spring, in an arroyo lead- 
ing toward the latter place. It is said that wagons can follow the arroyo 
to the spring. It is reported to furnish good water. 

Corn Spring. — Page 49 ; Plate VII. 

Cottonwood Spring. — Pages 68, 69; Plate VI. 

County Well. — On road between Indio and Pinon Well. Page 70 ; Plate VI. 

County Well (new). — On road between Holtville and Yuma. Pages 29, 31; 
Plate VIL 



SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORITIA. 79 

County Well (old). — On road between Holtville and Yuma. Pages 29, 30; 
Plate VII. 

Covington ranch. — Page 73; figure 2. 

Coyote Well. — Page 73; figure 2. 

Coyote Wells.— Pages 27, 28 ; Plate VI. 

Dale.— Pages 68, 74 ; figure 2. 

Desert Queen Well. — Page 75 ; figure 2. 

Dixieland.— Pages 27, 28, 41 ; Plate VI. 

Dos Cabezas. — A spring of good water reliably reported to exist at the north 
edge of the mountains about 12 miles west of Coyote Wells, from which it 
is accessible by a poor wagon road that leads on up Carrizo Gorge to 
Jacumba. The spring is somewhere in the south part of T. 16 S., R. 8 E. 
It is said to have a rather large flow. (See PL VI.) 

Dos Palmas. — Pages 50, 54; Plate V. 

Durmid. — ^A station on the Southern Pacific Railroad east of Salton Sea. It is 
supplied with water hauled from Mecca by the railway company. (See 
PI. VI.) 

Eagle Tank. — A natural rock basin about 20 feet ip diameter and 10 to 15 feet 
deep in the bed of a gorge tributary to Placer Canyon, in the northwestern 
part of the Eagle Mountains. The gorge is the third large one entering 
Placer Canyon from the south below the old Placer Canyon reservoir, at 
a distance of about half a mile, and the tank is several hundred yards from 
its mouth. It is at the base of a vertical cliff about 20 feet high in the 
gorge bottom. The tank is said to contain water all the year round, but 
during the dry season the water is stale and dirty. There are several other 
tanks in the Eagle Mountains which hold water for several weeks or a 
month after the rains. (See PI. VI.) 

Edom. — A station on the Southern Pacific Railroad about 12 miles northwest of 
Indio. It is accessible by poor wagon roads, and there is talk of building 
a good road into Indio. Some ranches are being developed in the vicinity, 
it is reported, and well water is obtainable, but at what depth is not 
known. Like all the railway stations in the desert it constitutes a possible 
watering place. (See PI. VI.) 

Ehrenberg Ferry. — Page 47; Plate VII. 

El Centro.— Pages 26, 28, 31, 41 ; Plate VI. 

Eldorado mine.— Pages 69, 71, 76 ; Plate VI ; figure 2. 

Figtree John Spring. — ^Pages 19, 21; Plate VI. 

Fish Spring.— Pages 19, 21; Plate VI. 

Flowing Well. — ^A station on the Southern Pacific Railroad, about 4 miles east 
of Niland. According to tradition there was once a seep of bitter water 
at a near-by spring but never a flowing well. Water is hauled from 
Mecca and a cistern maintained for the few inhabitants. The place is 
about half a mile from the main road between Niland and Yuma. (See 
PI. VII.) 

Ford Well.— Pages 47, 48; Plate VII. 

Frey Well.— Pages 15, 18; Plate VI. 

Frink Spring. — Page 55; Plate VI. 

Garden of Eden.— Page 77 ; Plate VI. 

Glamis.— Pages 23, 26, 59; Plate VII. 

Graham WeU.— Page 67 ; Plate VII. 

Granite mine. — In the north edge of the Chuckwalla Mountains. Reached by 
a branch road that turns south from the Mecca-Blythe highway at a point 
41.3 miles from Mecca. The well is on the east bank of a gully about 
15 feet deep, cut through granite at the base of the mountains. From it 



80 ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

a pipe line leads east to a mill, but this line was not in order when seen. 
Water had evidently been pumped by engine but could be obtained only by 
rope and bucket, and these were not provided. The well measured 41 feet 
deep, water being reached at 22.5 feet. Water drawn from the well ap- 
peared a little stale, as if from long standing, but looked clear and did not 
taste bad. It is probably excellent when regularly used. ( See PI. VII. ) 

Granite Tanks. — ^Reported as existing in the northeast corner of Chuckwalla 
Mountains, in a canyon near the mountain border, and said to be accessible 
by wagon. They are little used, except by prospectors, Granite mine and 
Corn Springs being more prominent watering places. The water supply 
is usually dependable but perhaps not always so. (See PL VII.) 

Grapevine Spring. — Pages 32, 37; Plate VI. 

Gray post office. — See Palm Springs station. Page 76 ; Plate VI ; figure 2. 

Grays Well. — Now abandoned. Formerly furnished mill water for Gray's mill, 
a gold mill in the desert about 5 miles south of Blythe Junction. The well 
is in T. 2 S., R. 20 E., probably in sec. 11. Water is reported to have been 
obtained at a depth of 137 feet. It was too salty for domestic use. (See 

fig. 1.) 

Gruendlke Well. — Pages 46, 48; Plate VII. 

GulUday WeU.— Pages 51, 57; Plate VII. 

Gyp WeU.— Pages 64, 65 ; Plate VII. 

Hanna Well. — ^At north edge of Fish Mountain, in a canyon knovni as Fish 
Creek, through which runs a very poor wagon road connecting Carrizo and 
San Felipe valleys. It is easily accessible from the north, however. Con- 
flicting reports state that water is unobtainable and that there is plenty of 
good water. The well is in sec. 29, T. 13 S., R. 9 E., and has been used 
to supply prospecting and well-drilling parties. (See PI. VI.) 

Harper WeU.— Pages 34, 35; Plate VI. 

Hayflelds. — Pipe line crossing road at the Hayflelds and carrying water from 
spring in Eagle Mountains. Pages 46, 48 ; Plate VI. 

Heber. — ^A small town in Imperial Valley, on the railway between El Centro and 
Calexico. There are several stores and houses and provisions, automobile 
supplies, and water are obtainable. (See PI. VI.) 
( Hedges. — See Tumco. 

Henson Well.— In the NW. i sec. 26, T. 3 S., R. 8 E., about three-quarters of a 
mile south of the road from Pinon Well to Indio, 1.3 miles from Pinon 
Well. Accessible by a burro trail, possibly even by wagon. The well is 
in a little flat in. a very narrow canyon and is high up near the summit 
of the Little San Bernardino Mountains. It is a dug hole about 4 feet 
square and reaches water at about 10 feet. It is curbed with boards and 
was provided with a rope and bucket but needed cleaning in January, 1918. 
The water was at that time siphoned to Eldorado mine with that of Pinon 
Well. (See PI. VI.) 

Heyburn Well. — Indicated on a township plat of the General Land Office (1915 
survey) as being near the south quarter stake of sec. 13, T. 11 S., R. 16 E. 
It is at the south base of the Chocolate Mountains, in the mouth of a large 
arroyo, and there is a cabin near it. A wagon trail leading to the Niland- 
Yuma road is shown. Nothing more is known of it. The entrance to the 
canyon is prominent reentrant in the Chocolate Range just east of Salva- 
tion Pass. (See PI. VII.) 

Hidden Spring. — An excellent but very little known water hole in the eastern 
part of the Mecca Hills, probably in see. 11, T. 7 S., R. 10 E. It can be 
reached on foot by following the burro trail to Burnt Palms (see p. 78), 
going down Burnt Palms Wash to its junction with a larger canyon from 



SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 81 

the east, and following this larger canyon for a mile to the east. This 
was the route used by the writer. Automobile tracks leading up the 
canyon, however, indicate that it is accessible by vehicles from the south- 
west. (See PL VI.) 

HoIe-inrthe-Wall Spring. — Page 73; figure 2. 

Holtvllle.— Pages 28, 31; Plate VII. 

Hopkins WeU.— Pages 47, 48 ; Plate VII. 

Imperial.— Pages 26, 27, 44; Plate VI. 

Indian WeUs.— Pages 16, 17 ; Plate VI. 

Indie— Pages 16, 17 ; Plate VI. 

Iron Chief mine. — Page 69 ; Plate VI. 

Jacumba.— Pages 27, 28; Plate VI. 

Julian.— Pages 38, 43; Plate VI. 

Kane Spring.— Pages 19, 34, 35 ; Plate VI. 

Keys ranch. — Page 75; figure 2. 

IJaguna (Laguna Mountains). — The Laguna is a small lake at a high elevation 
near the crest of the Peninsular Range, in T. 15 S., R. 5 E. Little is 
known about it. Other small lakes are reported In the vicinity. (See 
PI. VL) 

Liaguna Dam.— :^age 63 ; Plate VII. 

liaguna Mountain Spring. — The following description of a nameless spring in 
the Laguna Mountains is taken from field notes accompanying Withdrawal 
No. 381, Public Water Reserve No. 14, California No. 2. " The spring is in 
the NW. i NW. i sec. 24, T. 15 S., R. 6 E. It is located near the head of a 
deep canyon of northeasterly trend (evidently Canebrake Canyon). The 
water seeps from the ground under a large granite boulder, flows for 100 
feet, and sinks in sand. The flow is about 5 gallons a minute. The 
spring is 6 miles from a wagon road (probably the Julian-El Centro road) 
and 3 miles from water (Canebrake Canyon). The surrounding rocks 
are gray granite." (See PI. VI.) 

Ijost Horse Well. — Also known as Lost Horse Spring. In the NE. i sec. 21, 
T. 2 S., R. 8 E. Reached by a branch road that turns south 2.8 miles 
east of Quail Spring at a fork marked by a Geological Survey sign, from 
which it is 5.5 miles distant. It is also accessible by a dim road leading 
south 1.1 miles southeast of the Geological Survey sign at Keys ranch, 
from which it is about 3 miles distant. It is in the east edge of a high 
valley on the northeast side of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, at the 
foot of a long granite spur a few hundred feet high which forms the east 
wall of the valley. The position of the well is marked by two great patches 
of very white granite surrounded by much darker rock on the mountain side 
just east of the well. The well is 39 feet deep. In 1918 this well and 
another in the same vicinity were in poor condition. (See PI. VI.) 

Magnesia Spring. — A small spring of poor water in Magnesia Canyon, iff sec. 
14, T. 5 S., R. 5 E. It can be reached by wagon from the Banning-Brawley 
road but is almost never used as a watering place. It may be of some 
importance to prospectors. (See PI. VI.) 

Maria Mountains Tank. — ^A large tank is reported by several persons to exist 
near the center of the Maria Mountains, in a big canyon draining west. 
It is said to be approachable within a short distance by wagons on the west 
and to be connected with Willow Spring, 3 miles east, by a burro trail. 
It holds water most of the year. 

McCain Spring.— Pages 19, 21 ; Plate VI. 

McCoy Spring.— Pages 49, 67 ; Plate VII. 

McCoy Tanks.— Page 67; Plate VII. 



82 ROUTES TO DESEKT WATERING PLACES. 

Mecca.— Pages 16, 20, 22, 45, 49, 50, 55, 68 ; Plate VI. 

Mill Camp.— Page 49 ; Plate VII. 

»nneral Switch. — Page 66; Plate VII. 

Mohave Tank. — In T. 3 S., R. 20 E., probably in or near sec. 28. It is in a 
canyon in the north edge of the Little Maria Mountains and is accessible 
from the Blythe-Blythe Junction road. It can be reached by going south- 
west from Gyp Well on a plain road. Turn to the right about half a mile 
from the well and follow a dim wagon trail, continuing southwest toward 
a gap very plainly visible in the mountains. At about 3^ miles from Gyp 
Well the road ends beside a deep gully in the edge of the mountains. 
A burro trail goes on across the pass to Chandler Well. The Mohave 
Tank is in the bed of the gully about 100 yards south of the end of the 
wagon road. The tank occupies a hole formed by flood waters pouring 
over a cliff about 15 feet high in the canyon bed. When visited in October, 
1917, a pool of water 12 to 15 feet in diameter and 2 to 3 feet deep stood 
in the little basin. A large amount of sand and gravel filled the bottom of 
the hole, so the actual water content was probably considerably greater than 
it appeared on the surface. Natives say that it has never been known to be 
entirely dry. The tank is a favorite watering place for the mountain sheep 
and other wild animals, of which signs are plentiful. Its remoteness from 
roads and settlements, however, causes it to be of small importance to 
people generally. (See PI. VI.) 

Morongo Creek. — Page 73. 

Mortmar. — A station on the Southern Pacific Railroad, about 8 miles south- 
east of Mecca and 1 mile off the road to Dos Palmas. Water is hauled 
from Mecca, but there are fiowing wells in the neighborhood. It constitutes 
a possible watering place, but is off the usual lines of travel. Name recently 
changed from Mortmere. (See PI. VI.) 

Mountain Palms Spring. — Pages 40, 42 ; Plate VI. 

Mountain Springs. — Pages 27. 28; Plate VI. 

New County Well. — On road between Holtville and Yuma. Pages 29, 31 ; Plate 
VII. 

Niland.— Pages 22, 23, 26; Plates VI and VII. 

Oasis School.— Pages 19, 21 ; Plate VI. 

Ogllby. — Pages 24, 25 ; Plate VII. 

Old County W^ell. — On road between Holtville and Yuma. Pages 29, 30 ; Plate 
VII. 

Old Virginia Dale. — Same as Old Dale. Pages 68, 74 ; figure 2. 

Packard Well.— Pages 50, 67 ; Plate VII. 

Packer W^ell. — See Packard Well. Pages 50. 67 ; Plate VII. 

Palen Well (dry).— Page 50; Plate VII. 

Palm Canyon. — Page 77; Plate VI. 

Palm Spring, San Diego County. — ^Not to be confused with Palm Springs vil- 
lage, in Riverside County. It is not associated with palm trees, although 
some are said to have grown there years ago. It is in sec. 25, T. 14 S., R. 7 
E., about half a mile north of a trail leading down the dry bed of Vallecito 
Creek from Vallecito to Carrizo. It can be reached by turning aside. 
There are mesquite trees at the place. A small seep of water issues from 
the base of some clay hills. It is said to be necessary sometimes to dig 
for water. The place was not visited during this investigation. (See 
PI. VI.) 

Palm Springs, Riverside County. — Page 15 ; Plate VI. 

Palm Springs station. — Page 76 ; Plate VI ; figure 2. 



SALTON SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 83 

Palm Wash, — In sees. 21 and 22, T. 10 S., R. 9 E., are several little seeps of 
water marked by a few palm trees. They can be reached by following an 
arroyo west from the Coachella-Brawley road, but the place is hard to^ 
find. The arroyo is crossed 81 miles south of Fish Spring, and the springs 
are about 3 miles away. The water is bitter and undrinkable. Drinkable 
water is said to have been found at places in the arroyo by digging pits and 
using the water continuously. (See PI. VI.) 

Palo Verde.— Pages 58, 60, 63 ; Plate VII. 

Patterson Well. — Page 47; Plate VII. 

Peg Leg Well.— Page 58 ; Plate VII. 

Picacho.— Page 63; Plate VII. 

Pinkham Well. — Somewhere in an arroyo draining north out of the Cottonwood 
Mountains, about 7 miles from Cottonwood Spring, is a water hole called 
Pinkham Well, developed by C. A. Pinkham, of Mecca. It can be reached 
by a poor wagon road from Cottonwood Spring. The supply is said to be 
reliable, and the well is used by prospectors. (See PI. VI.) 

Pinyon WeU.— Pages 70, 75 ; Plate VI ; figure 2. 

Potholes.— Page 63; Plate VII. 

Priest Well. — In T. 2 S., R. 20 B., probably in sec. 8. Reached by a branch 
road that turns west from the Blythe-Blythe Junction road, 3.7 miles from 
Blythe Junction. It is in the Blythe Junction Basin, about 2 miles north 
of Brown Well and about a mile from the base of Arica Mountain. The 
well was drilled in the summer of 1917 by a mining man named Priest, 
after whom it is named. In October, 1917, there was a pumping plant at 
the well which delivered water to the Assets Realizing Mining Co.'s gold 
mine, 2 miles west, in the summit of Arica Mountain. Mt. Cox, superin- 
tendent of the mine and pumping plant, reported the depth of the well as 
587 feet and the depth to water as 507 feet. The water is rather salty and 
Is not used for domestic purposes. It comes from the well at a tempera- 
ture of 90°. (See fig. 1.) 

Quail Spring. — Page 75 ; figure 2. 

Rannells.— Pages 52, 53, 58, 60, 63 ; Plate VII. 

Red Butte Spring. — ^A little-known spring is reliably reported to exist in the 
north end of the Palo Verde Mountains, near a prominent peak called Red 
Butte, from which the name is taken. It is in T. 9 S., R. 20 E., probably 
in sec. 9 or 10. No roads lead to the spring, and it is reached only by 
burro trails. The location is given as one-fourth mile northeast of the 
base of Red Butte, in a little canyon coming from that mountain. The 
place should be easily found, as Red Butte, which is really not a butte but 
a sharp-pointed round peak, evidently a volcanic neck, is an unmistakable 
landmark. When viewed from the north or east it appears as an isolated 
red peak at the north end of the Palo Verde Mountains and not far from 
the Flat Top Mountains, two broad table-like summits easily distinguished 
in the west end of the Palo Verde Mountains. The water is said to seep 
out of rock in the canyon. The flow is small but unfailing. The name 
Clapp Springi has' also been used for it but does not seem to be very widely 
accepted. (See PI. VII.) 

Red Cloud mine.— Page 49 ; Plate VII. 

Rice. — New name for Blythe Junction. (See p. 63.) 

Salton. — A station on the Southern Pacific Railroad, at the northeast corner of 
Salton Sea. The place was once the center of salt-mining activity in Salton 
Basin, but the flooding of the basin has ended the industry, and the place 
is now relatively unimportant. It is accessible by a road from Dos Palmas 
or by a wagon road along the railway. Both are bad, and the place is not 
157138°— 20 7 



84 ROUTES TO DESERT WATERING PLACES. 

often visited. Water is hauled from Mecca by rail, and travelers can get 
water there if necessary. (See PI. VI.) - 

Salvation Spring.— Page 58; Plate VII. 

San FeUpe.— Pages 33, 36; Plate VI. 

San Felipe Creek. — Where crossed by the Coachella-Brawley road about a mile 
north of Kane Spring San Felipe Creek usually has a considerable surface 
flow, perhaps 1 second-foot. The water is exceedingly bitter, and analysis 
indicates that it is unfit for any human use. Care should be taken not 
to drink it or give it to animals. (See PL VI.) 

San Felipe ranch. — The San Felipe ranch house is in sec. 24, T. 12 S., R. 4 E. 
It is in the center of a large land grant known as the San Felipe ranch 
which includes the larger part of the good land in upper San Felipe Val- 
ley. The ranch house is about 15 miles, from Warner and is accessible by 
fair mountain roads either from that place or from Julian. Several wells 
near the house supply good water for domestic use and for irrigation. 
Some of them yield a small flow. Watering places are rather abundant in 
the neighborhood, and travelers probably water most frequently at Ban- 
ner Creek or The Windmill, which are more public places a few miles away. 
At the Wilson ranch, about 5 miles north, water is also convenient to the 
road. (See PI. VI.) 

San Felipe Valley windmill.— Page 89; Plate VI. 

Seeley.— Page 28; Plate VI. 

Seven Palms.— An artesian spring about 8 miles east of Palm Springs station, 
in sec. 18, T. 8 S., R. 5 E. It is on a poor wagon road leading from Palm 
Springs station to Edom and is seldom frequented by travelers. There is 
a pool of water several feet in diameter directly by the roadside at the 
base of a large cluster of wild palm trees. There is a dense mat of arrow- 
weed, cane, and mesquite about the pool. The water appears to be of good 
quality. The supply is probably several gallons a minute. ( See PL VI. ) 

Seventeen Palms. — Accessible by very bad road from Borego Spring to Coa- 
chella-Brawley road. Seep of bitter water in clay hills. Pages 19, 31; 
Plate VI. 

Shaver Well.— Pages 46, 49, 68 ; Plate VI. 

Smith Well.— Pages 59, 60, 63 ; Plate VII. 

Smuggler Spring.- Pages 27, 28 ; Plate VI. 

Soda Springs. — In sec. 86, T. 10 S., R. 9 E., about 2J miles north of McCain 
Spring and the same distance west of the Coachella-Brawley road. They 
are in a wash leading up to Seventeen Palms and probably accessible if 
thai right arroyo can be found on leaving the main road. The springs are 
at the base of a prominent hill called Clay Point, which is just above the 
old beach. The water is very bitter, almost undrinkable. They were not 
visited. (See PL VI.) 

Stirrup Tank. — Two and one-half miles south and a little west of White Tanks, 
In the north edge of the Hexie Mountains, is a natural rock tank said to 
contain water at times. It is in an inaccessible locality and is of im- 
portance only to prospectors. 

Stuart Spring.— Pages 82, 37 ; Plate VI. 

Stubby Spring. — In the SE. i sec. 27, T. 2 S., R. 7 E., near the summit of the 
Little San Bernardino Mountains. A wagon road, said not to be very good, 
leads east to the Lost Horse Well, about 7 miles away, and a trail once 
led south to Indio past a place called the Thousand Palms Canyon but 
is now impassable. The spring is said to yield about a miner's inch of good 
water and is always reliable. 

Sumac Spring. — Same as Stuart Spring. Pages 32, 37 ; Plate VI. 



SALTON" SEA REGION, CALIFORNIA. 85 

Sunset Spring. — In sec. 7, T. 14 S., R. 16 B., in the east side of Imperial Valley. 
It is a seep of water from moist alkaline soil and is due to the escape of 
imperfectly confined artesian water in the Holtville area. The spring ia 
now in the center of a field and is important only histoi'ically and as an in- 
dication of ground-water conditions. It was once a useful watering 
place, but its location is at present almost unknown even to local residents. 
(See PL VII.) 

Tabaseca Tank. — Natural tank in deep arroyo. Water often concealed by 
gravel filling. Pages 51, 54 ; Plate VI. 

Talmadge Well. — A flowing well owned by W. S. Talmadge in sec. 8, T. 3 
S., R. 5 B., in upper Coachella Valley. It is about half a mile northeast 
of Seven Palms and 3^ miles from Palm Springs station, on a road from 
that station to Bdom. This road is bad and seldom traveled. The flow is 
about 15 gallons a minute. Analysis shows a rather high mineral con- 
tent, particularly of sulphate, but the water tastes good and is freely used 
for drinking. (See PI. VI.) 

Thermal.— Pages 16, 17, 18, 22 ; Plate VI. 

The Windmill.— In San Felipe Valley. Page 39 ; Plate Vl. 

Thousand Palms Canyon. — A celebrated but difficultly accessible water hole 
in the northeast corner of T. 4 S., R. 6 B. A survey made by the 
Southern Pacific Co. for a gravity water supply for Indio indicates an 
estimate of several hundred gallons a minute available here. The canyon 
can be reached by a poor wagon trail from Indio, but the exact route is 
unknown. The trail once led on to Stubby Spring. There is a remarkably 
large grove of palms in the canyon. ( See PI. VI. ) 

Tolbard Well. — In the western part of T. 11 S., R. 21 E., are a group of man- 
ganese claims which were developed in a commercial way in 1918, owing 
to the demand for manganese created by the war. Owners of one 
property, called the Tolbard mine, are reliably reported to have made a 
well about 2 miles south of the mine in a large arroyo leading northeast 
and obtained good water for use at this mining camp. (See PI. VII.) 

Toro Springs. — On the western border of the southern part of Coachella Val- 
ley. Were once important desert watering places but are now off the main 
lines of travel and are important chiefly to the Indians of the surrounding 
reservation. The springs are in sec. 1, T. 7 S., R. 7 B. They are accessible 
by various roads of the network now existing in Coachella Valley. (See 
PI. VI.) 

Tumco. — Formerly known as Hedges. It is an abandoned mining camp in the 
west edge of the Cargo Muchacho Range, about 4 miles north of Ogilby. 
It is very near the Tumco branch of the Blythe-Yuma road. In 1918 the 
place was a " ghost city " of empty houses, and no water was obtainable. 
When it was prosperous water was pumped from Colorado River. It may 
become a watering place again should mining activities revive. (See 
PI. VII.) 

Twenty -nine Palms;- — Page 74; figure 2. 

Vallecito.^Pages 40, 42 ; Plate VI. 

Warner.— Pages 31, 38; Plate VI. 

Warren ranch (also called Covington ranch). — Page 73; figure 2. 

Warren Tank. — Page 73 ; figure 2. 

Warren Well. — Page 73; figure 2. 

Westmoreland.— Pages 20, 34, 35; Plate VI. 

AVhite Tank,— Page 71 ; Plate VI ; figure 2. 

Whitewater River. — Pages 15, 18 ; Plate VI. ' 

Whitewater station.— Pages 15, 18 ; Plate VI. 



86 KOUTES TO DESERT AVATEKING PLACES. 

Wiley Well.— Pages 49, 52, 53 ; Plate VII. 

Willow Holes. — Should not be confused with Willow Spring, in the Maria Moun- 
tains. It is a spring in sec. 21, T. 3 S., R. 5 E., and originates in a cienaga 
in the Indio Hills, very similar to the Thousand Palms Canj^on, according 
to report. There is a small stream of good water the year around, which 
rises in a wash or canyon passing through the hills. The place is accessible 
by a poor wagon road from Palm Springs station or from Edom. (See 
PI. VI.) 

Willow Spring. — Reliable spring in a canyon on east side of Maria Mountains. 
Trails to Blythe Intake and Maria Mountains tank. Page 66 ; Plate VII. 

Wilson ranch. — See San Felipe ranch. 

WindmiU, San Felipe Valley— Page 39 ; Plate VI. 

Winterhaven.— Pages 24, 25, 29, 30 ; Plate VII. 

Wlster. — ^A railway station about 7 miles by rail northwest of Niland, on the 
Southern Pacific line. Water is hauled by rail from Mecca and storetl in 
a cistern. Travelers may get water if necessary. The place is accessible 
by fairly good roads from Niland. ( See PI. VI. ) 

Yaqui WeU.— Pages 32, 37 ; Plate VI. 

Yuha. — Variously known as Yuba Spring or Yuha Well,, is at present neither a 
spring nor a well but is a locality having very shallow water in sees. 4, 
5, 8, and 9, T. 17 S., R. 11 E. It can be reached by a very poor road 
branching from the San Diego highway near Dixieland, and automobiles 
will find the last mile very difficult, as there is practically no road at all. 
Water is very shallow in several places in the bed of an arroyo. The loca- 
tion of water can generally be determined by patches of salt grass, and 
the water is obtained by digging a foot or two. It is very bitter. The 
well, which was once an important water hole in this portion of the 
desert, has been destroyed, and there is practically no travel whatever to 
the place at present. Considerable water could be obtained by shallow 
wells at properly selected spots, but it would be very poor, although prob- 
ably drinkable. (See PL VI.) 

Yuma.— Pages 24, 25, 30, 62 ; Plate VII. 

Yuma Dam. — See Laguna Dam. Page 63; Plate VII. 

Zacaton Spring. — -Shown on the U. S. Geological Survey reconnaissance topo- 
graphic map of Salton Sink as in sec. 8, T. 11 S., R. 9 E., about halfway 
between Soda Springs and Seventeen Palms, in the same arroyo. Noth- 
ing more is known of it. It is probably a seep of bitter water from clay 
hills or in the bed of an arroyo. (See PI. VI.) 

o 



WATER-SUPPLY TAPER 490 PLATE VI 




U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 




DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



PREPARED IN ( 
CALIFORNIA DEPART^ 



HYDROLOGY AND PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE 
SALTON SEA, CALIFORNIA 



INTRODUCTION 






The increased utilization of the SaltonS 
its shores for recreation, the development of 
residential complexes on its shores, and the en- 
croachment of the sea into these developments 
have emphasized the need for a concise sum- 
mary of hydrologic and physiographic informa- 
tion concerning the area. This report attempts 
to fill that need. 

The report was authorized by a cooperative 
agreement between the U.S. Geological Survey 
and the California Department of Water Re- 
sources. It was prepared under the general 
direction of Walter Hofmann, district chief of 
the Water Resources Division of the Geological 
Survey, at Menlo Park, 

PHYSICAL SETTING 
The Salton Sea lies below sea level in the low- 
est part of an interior valley known as the Salton 
Trough (See T o p o g r a p h i c and Hydrographic 
Map). The sea. which occupies parts of Im- 
perial and Riverside Counties in California 
(fig. 1). lies 125 miles northeast of the Gulf of 
California, and the two bodies of water are sep- 
arated by the delta of the Colorado River. The 
Salton Sea receives the drainage from an area of 
8,360 square miles that includes the highly de- 
valoped agricultural areas. Imperial and 
Coachella Valleys in California and Mexicali 
Valley in Mexico. All three valleys depend on 
irrigation water from the Colorado River, 




HISTORY 
Geologic evidence indicates that, in the geo- 
logic past, what is now the SaltonSeawas a part 
of the Gulf of California, which extended about 
200 miles farther northwest than at present. 
As a result of the Colorado River depositing 
its silt load at its mouth year after year, the 
Colorado delta gradually extended southwest- 
ward and divided the old gulf into the present 
gulf and an inland sea. The river must have 
discharged alternately into the gulf and into the 
Salton Sea. 

Water probably filled the Salton depression 
and evaporated from it many times, as the mea- 
ger rainfall and runoff from bordering mountains 
were greatly exceeded by the evaporation. A 
clear and definite indication of the last occu- 
pancy of the depression by a historically old 
lake (Lake Cahuilla) may be seen in the remark- 
ably well preserved waterline that rims the de- 
sert at an elevation of about 40 feet above mean 
sea level from Indio, Calif., to theCerro Prieto, 
in Mexico. The waterline is especially distinct 
on Travertine Rock at the northwest end of the 
sea and along the eastern slopes of the Santa 
Rosa Mountains just south of Travertine Rock. 
The thickness of the calcium carbonate deposits 
forming the waterline indicates that water stood 
at this elevation for long periods of time. An 
inner layer of the deposits was dated, by the use 
of carbon isotopes, at about 13,000 years before 
the present, and an outer layer at about 1,900 
years before the present (Hubbs and others, 
1963, p. 260-261). 

The date of LakeCahuiUa'sdisappearancehas 
not been established, but, according to Indian leg- 
end, the lake existed until about 300 years ago. 
This seems to bo subatanliated by a date obtained 
by analyzing charcoal, found associated with the 
remains of fresh-water fish (Fergusson and 
Libby, 1963). In the years just prior to 1901 
the bed of theSaltonSea was adry lake, or playa, 
known as Salton Sink. In 1901 irrigation was 
started in the Imperial Valley with water diverted 
from the Colorado River, and the presentSalton 
Sea began to form. By November 1904, the water 
was 0.2 foot deep on the Ooor of Salton Sink, as 
a result of irrigation drainage. 

Previously, water reaching the sea had re- 
sulted from heavier than usual precipitation 
within the drainage basin and from unusually 



high flows 



the Colorado River which spread 
t of the delta draining into the sea. 
Floodwaters of noticeable volume had been re- 
ported in Salton Sink in 1826, 1840, 1849, 1852, 
1859, 1862. 1667, and 1891. In February 1905, 
during a flood on the Colorado River, irrigators 
were unable to control the flow entering their 
diversion canal, and great quantities of flood- 
water poured into the Salton Sea. Two years 
elapsed before this diversion could be brought 
under control, and during that period the sea 
rapidly Increased in depth and volume until 
March 1907, when the water surface reachedits 
maximum level of recent times, 195.9 feet below 
sea level. At this level the sea was 45 miles 
long, its width ranged from 10 to 20 miles, and 
it covered an area of about 520 square miles. 
After March 1907, the water level gradually re- 
ceded as evaporation greatly exceeded inflow 
(fig. 2). 

WATER-LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS 
The hydrograph on figure 2 shows the water- 
surface elevation of the Salton Sea on the last 
day of each month for 60 years. All elevations 
are referred to mean sea level, datum of 1929. 
The vertical scale of figure 2 changes in 1925 to 
emphasize the seasonal and annual variations In 
elevation in recent years. These variations are 
caused by changes in the relative magnitude of 
inflow and evaporation. When the monthly inflow 
exceeds the monthly evaporation, the water level 
rises; when the monthly evaporation exceeds the 
monthly inflow, the water level falls. Also, when 
the total annual inHow continues to exceed the 
total annual evaporation, the water level main- 
tains a general rising trend, as shown for the 
periods 1925-31 and 1936-64, When the total an- 
nual evaporation continues to exceed the total 
annual inHow, the water level maintains a general 
falling trend, as shown for the periods 1907-24 
and 1931-35. As the elevation of the water sur- 
face approaches that level where inflow and eva- 
poration tend to compensate each year, the water 
level will remain at a fairly constant elevation. 



PRECIPITATION 
The meager precipitation that occurs in the 
area results from storms of two types, general 
winter storms and convective summer storms. 
Winter precipitation, the predominant type in the 
southern California coastal region, originates in 
moisture-laden polar Pacific maritime air- 
masses. The relatively high coastal Peninsular 
Ranges that form the western boundary of the 
Salton Sea Troughact asabarrier to the easterly 
movement of these airmasses. In passing over 
the barrier, the airmasses are elevated and 
cooled, and thereby lose water by condensation. 
After passing this barrier, the airmasses de- 
scend and become warmer, thereby decreasing 
their potential for causing precipitation and in- 
creasing their potential for evaporating water in 
the area. This tends to cut off the wint< r pre- 
cipitation very sharply just east of the mountain 
divide. For example, the average winter pre- 
cipitation is about 38 inches in the San Jacinto 
Mountains, near the divide, and is 5 inches at 
Palm Springs, 8 miles east of the divide. The 
average winter precipitation diminishes to about 
2.5 inches at Indio and 2.0 inches at EI Centro, 
south of the sea and east of the divide. 

Summer precipitation in the basin generally 
is attributable to the tropical gulf and tropical 
continental airmasses, which originate over the 
Gulf of Mexico and over the continental United 
States and Mexico, respectively. These westerly 
and northwesterly moving airmasses are 
largely responsible for occasional intense but 
widely scattered convectional storms on thede- 



A pan 



precipitation that falls on the 
eventually reaches the Salton Sea by sur- 
face or subsurface routes, and rain falling di- 
rectly on the sea contributes a significantquan- 
tity of water. During the period 1908-62 this 
rainfall on the sea averaged 2.5 inches annually, 
which is an average annual volume of about 
42,000 acre-feet of water added directly to the 
sea. This volume has ranged from 1,000 acre- 
feet in 1953 to 127,000 acre-feet in 1939. 



EVAPORATION 



) Is 



The only way water can leave theSaltonSei 
by evaporation. Investigations have sho^^'n the 
average annual evaporation rate, based on data 
for the period 1949-62, is about 5.8 feel. The 
volume of water that evaporates in a particular 
year Is dependent not only on the evapcratlon 
rate, but also on the water-surface area. This, 
in turn, causes the volume of annual evaporation 
to be dependent on the water levelof the sea, for 
when the water level rises, it exposes a greater 
water-surface area to the elements causing eva- 
poration, and when it falls, the converse is true. 
For example, in 1951 when the averageelevalion 
of the sea was -240 feet (below sea level), 5.8 
feet of evaporation would have been equivalent 
to a loss of about 1,140,000 acre-feet of water; 
in 1964 when the average elevation of the sea 
was -232 feet, 5.8 feet of evaporation would have 
been equivalent to a loss of about 1.340,000 acre- 
feet of water. 




EXPLANATION 



TOPOGRAPHIC AND HYDROGRAPHIC MAP OF 
THE SALTON SEA AREA 



HYDROLOGY AND PHYSIOGRAPHY 



W. M. I'i 



;OOPERATION WITH THE 

1ENT OF WATER RESOURCES 



(Vr^ io;^5.(VQ Vj^[ 



HYDROLOGIC INVESTIGATIONS 
ATLAS HA-222 




FIGURE 2.-f (urfHolfoni ./i«il*r.»ur;li« (IwoJiob qfthi Saltan Sta 




INrLOW TO THE SALTON SEA 
Inflow to theSaltonSea, other than rain on the 
water surface, occurs both as surface-water 
flow and ground-water flow. A small part of the 
total inflow is derived from precipitation on the 
basin surrounding the sea, but in mosl years 
nearly all inflow is drainage from Irrigation 
operations. 

Geographically, surface-water inflow to the 
Salton Sea comes from three principal sources: 
(1) Imperial Valley, (2) Coachella Valley, and 
(3) the remaining tributary area. Inflow from 
Imperial Valley includes drainage from Mexi- 
can Valley in Mexico. About 90 percent of the 
inflow from Imperial Valley reaches the sea 
through the Alamo and New Rivers, and 10 per- 
cent is discharged into the sea from more than 
30 minor channels and drains. 

The principal surface-water channel in 
Coachella Valley is the Whitewater River (known 
locally as Coachella Valley Stormwater Chan- 
nel), It discharges into the sea about 60 percent 
of the drainage water from the valley; 40 percent 

iches the sea through 18 minor channels and 



rains. 

The 






i-face 



(1) ; 



img ; 



? Salton S 



Felipe Creek, which enters the south- 
west end of the sea near Kane Spring, and (2) Salt 
Creek, which enters the sea near the Durmid 
railroad station on the northeast shore. These 
two channels carry about half the surface-water 
inflow from areas other than I mpe ria 1 and 
Coachella Valleys. The remainder is contri- 
buted by minor channels discharging directly 
into the sea. 

The table below shows thequantity of surface- 
water inflow to the Salton Sea, in aci 
during the calendar years 1961-63, as mi 
at U.S. Geological Survey gaging stations on the 
major streams. The figures in the bottom row 
do not represent total surface-water inflow; the 
flow of many minor channels is not measured by 
the Geological Survey. 



-feet. 



KW.. 


,«, 


■» 


™ 


Ri»w 


mm 


mm 


723,700 


Nuw River 


43T.«W 


45S,tWO 


47T,*W 


WhiKwatcr 
River 


5330 


19.600 


7U« 


S^UCe.. 


,m 


<,.» 


S„110 


San Fi-lipe 


,.,» 


™ 


8.700 


T.U.. 


,.„,.» 


„„,^ 





Ground-water Inflow to the Salton Sea is about 
50,000 acre-feet per year. Of this total, about 
30,000 acre-feet is contributed by Coachella 
Valley and 2,000 acre-feet by Imperial Valley. 
About 10,000 acre-feet enters through the allu- 
vium bordering San Felipe Creek, and the re- 
maining 8,000 acre-feet enters through the a Uu- 



othei 



peripheral e 



Measurement of inOow to the Salton Sea from 
all sources is not feasible, but total ground- and 
surface-water inflow can be computed approxi- 
mately by the water-budget method. Any inaccu- 
racies in the measurement of rainfall on the sea, 
of evaporation from the sea, and of change in 
volume of the sea will be reflected in the com- 
puted values of inflow, because the inflow is a 
residual element in the budget equation. The 
table below shows the calendar-year water bud- 
get for the period 1948^63. The data are from 
Hely and others (written commun., 1964). 



e curves on figures show the water-surface 
and volume of theSaltonSea for water-eur- 
elevations between -277.7 feet, the lowest 



elevation of the bed, and -200.0 feet. The two 
curves are based on elevation contours drawnon 
topographic maps similar to the topographic and 
hydrographic map. The contours for elevations 
between -200 feet and -235 feet were obtained 
from the latest 7 l/2-minute quadrangle maps of 
the Geological Survey; the contours for eleva- 
tions between -240 feet and -277.7 feet were 
drawn on the basis of soundings made in August 
1962 by a seismological laboratory party from 
the California Institute of Technology. The shad- 
ed area on the map indicates the area covered by 
the sea in September 1964, when the water sur- 
face was at elevation -232.5 feet. The sea was 
361/2 miles long, its width ranged from81/2to 
15 1/2 miles, and it covered an areaof about 360 
square miles. The greatest depth, more than 45 
feet in 1964, is near the center of the sea, di- 
rectly opposite the mouth of Salt Creek. 

SALINITY OF THE SALTON SEA 
The salinity of the water in the SaltonSea has 
been changing continually since the first signifi- 
cant inflow occurred shortly after theturnofthe 
century. Most of thewaterintheSalton Sea dur- 
ing the period 1905-07 resulted from large un- 
conlrolled diversions of Colorado River water. 
Although the river water had an average salinity 
(total dissolved solids) of less than eoo ppm 
(parts per million), the salinity of the water in 
the sea reached 3,550 ppm by June 1907, because 
of the dissolving of large quantities of salts ac- 
cumulated on the bed of the Salton Sea during 
previous centuries. After 1907 the volume of 
water in the sea decreased rapidly. The loss of 
water by evaporation, combined with the con- 
tinued dissolving of salts in the bed of the sea, 
caused a rapid increase in salinity. By 1920 the 
salinity had increased to 38,000 ppm, and in 1936 
it reached a maximum of about 43,000 ppm. The 
volume of water in the sea increased greatly dur- 
ing the period 1937-62; by 1962 the salinity had 
decreased to 34,000 ppm, because waterof lower 
salinity had been draining into the sea and had 
diluted the sea water. By way of comparison, the 
salinity of ocean water is about 35,000 ppm. 




ADDITIONAL DATA 

1 pertaining to the Salton 
he offices of the Geolog- 
ical Survey at Menlo Park and Garden Grove, 
Calif., and from the following reports: 
Brown, J. S., 1923, TheSaltonSea region, Cali- 
fornia, a geographic, geologic, and hydro- 
logic reconnaissance, with a guide to desert 
watering places: U.S. Geol. Survey Water- 
Supply Paper 497, 292 p. 
California Department of Water Resources. 
1964, Coachella Valley investigation; Bull. 
108, 145 p. 
Dickinson, W. E., 1944, Summary of records of 
surface waters at base stations in Colorado 
River Basin, 1891-1938: U.S. Geol. Survey 
Water-Supply Paper 918, 274 p. 
Fergusson, G. J., and Libby, W. F., 1963, UCLA 
radiocarbon dates II: Radiocarbon, v. 5 
p. 6, 
Hubbs, C. L., Bien, G.S.,andSuess,H. E.. 1963, 
La Jolla natural radiocarbon measurements 
III: Radiocarbon, v. 5. p. 260-261. 
U.S. Geological Survey, 1913, Water resources of 
California, Part 3, Stream measurements 
in the Great Basin and Pacific Coast river 
basins: Water-Supply Paper 300. 956 p. 

1933, Surface water supplyof the United 

States, 1932, Part 10. The Great Basin: 
Water-supply Paper 735, 107 p. 

1960, Compilation of records of surface 

waters of the United Slates througtiSeptem- 
ber 1950, Part 10, The Great Basin: Water- 
Supply Paper 1314, 485 p. 

1961, Surface water records of Cali- 
Volume 1, Colorado River 
Great Basin, and Pacific 
,s, excluding Central Valley: 
, open-file rept., 448 p. Pub- 



Basir 
Slope 



lished annually after 1961. 

1963, Compilation of records of surface 

waters of the United States, October 1950 to 
September 1960. Part 10. The Great Basin: 
Water-supply Paper 1734, 318 p. 



OF THE SALTON SEA, CALIFORNIA 

ttlefield 



I 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



001 412 367 2 



